Police cruiser damaged in two-car crash

A hit-skip crash involving a Lorain police cruiser during the early morning hours April 2, landed a 45-year-old Lorain man behind bars, according to a news release from the Lorain Police Department.

Scott Harris , of Stonepath Street, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident, assured clear distance ahead and no driver’s license.

At 2:43 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Oberlin Avenue and West 21st Street following a two-vehicle crash where a 2010 Lorain police cruiser was rear-ended by a maroon 2017 Honda Civic, the release said.

Harris initially fled the scene south on Oberlin, but was located a block away from the crash in the 1300 block of West 22nd Street, according to a police report regarding the incident.

The report further said Harris initially failed to stop when approached by an assisting officer who had the lights and sirens of his cruiser activated. Harris attempted to rev the car’s engine a few

times before the damage to its right front side prevented it from going any further, according to the report.

Prior to the collision, Officer Todd Hite, 37, was stopped at the red light at the intersection of Oberlin and West 21st.

Harris, who was headed south on Oberlin, failed to

maintain a safe stopping distance and struck the rear of the cruiser, sending it into the intersection where it came to a final rest, the report said.

Hite’s cruiser sustained disabling damage, according to the release, while the Honda that Harris was driving sustained functional damage.

Harris exhibited signs of intoxication when located by assisting units and subsequently failed the standardized field sobriety tests, the release said.

At the Lorain City Jail, Harris refused to submit a urine test.

Hite was taken to Mercy Regional Medical Center

where he was treated and released, the release said.

The roadway in the area of the crash was closed for about one hour while the traffic bureau processed the scene. Assistance was provided by Lorain auxiliary officers and Ernie’s Towing Service.

The crash remains under investigation.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LORAIN POLICE DEPARTMENT A hit-skip crash involving a Lorain police cruiser, April 2 , landed Scott Harris, 45, of Lorain, behind bars.