COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Two people were killed in a crash involving a teenager fleeing from police on Saturday afternoon.
Columbus Police reported that a 17-year-old male, evading officers attempting a traffic stop, collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Hamilton and 19th avenues.
The victims, identified as 71-year-old Franklin Ward and 52-year-old Tessa Berry, both residents of Columbus, were in a Saturn struck by the fleeing teenager.
Berry died at the scene, while Ward was transported to Grant Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities said the crash occurred after the teen, traveling westbound on 19th Avenue, failed to stop at a sign before hitting the northbound Saturn.
Prior to the incident, officers had attempted to pull over the teen's Toyota Prius near Cleveland and Maynard avenues due to suspicions of its involvement in a previous crime; the driver accelerated away, preventing a pursuit.
Three occupants of the Prius, including the 17-year-old driver, were taken into custody.
Emergency crews closed the intersection for several hours while the Franklin County Coroner's Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol conducted an investigation.