Deputies: Man hospitalized after crashing stolen car

Charges are pending against a man who was flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland after crashing an alleged stolen car after fleeing from sheriff’s deputies.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to Painesville Warren Road in Leroy Township for a stolen vehicle report at 1:41 p.m. May 11.

It was indicated that the 25-year-old stepson of the complainant had stolen his 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The deputies learned that the stepson had been accused of stealing the car in the past. He also had been accused of stealing firearms and lawn equipment from the home.

Deputies also learned the suspect had multiple warrants out for his arrest in Cuyahoga and Lake counties. Each warrant cautioned of “violent tendencies” and “resisting arrest.”

At 3:39 p.m. that day, the suspect reportedly returned to his stepfather’s home with the PT Cruiser and began yelling at his stepfather. Deputies returned to the home, but when they arrived the suspect had left again in the car.

Deputies waited in the area, eventually seeing the stolen car traveling southeast on Painesville Warren Road. The deputies were in a driveway on that street and when the car drove past them at a high rate of speed, all while passing vehicles and driving into oncoming traffic.

By the time the deputies were able to enter Painesville Warren Road and move through traffic, the suspect driver was out of sight.

The suspect was found a short time later after he was involved in a singlevehicle crash near Leroy Thompson Road.

The Sheriff’s Office said the preliminary investigation showed the suspect was unable to control the car because of reckless driving. He drove off to the left side of the road, struck a tree and rolled the vehicle over. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and was subsequently flown to MetroHealth Medical Center for injuries he sustained in the crash.

The case is still under investigation. No other people were in the vehicle at the time of the crash.