Man arrested after chase and wrong-way driving accident

(WJW) – A man was arrested early Thursday morning following a police chase and wrong-way driving crash on Interstate 90 in Elyria.

According to a press release from the Elyria Police Department, officers were called to the area of ​​Abbe Road and Hilliard Road shortly after 5:20 a.m. for a hit-and-run crash.

According to the press release, the suspect vehicle was a blue 2012 Chevy Cruze that fled north on Abbe Road N. Shortly thereafter, a Sheffield Village officer radioed the vehicle to Sheetz in the 5000 block of Detroit Road.

As an Elyria officer turned north onto Abbe Road, he saw three Sheffield Village Police cruisers pursuing the suspect vehicle, which was later determined to be driven by Geoffrey George.

The Elyria officer joined the pursuit, which occurred at approximately 30 miles per hour.

According to the press release, George was traveling south on Abbe Road, west on Burns Road, and then turned north onto Gulf Road, where he repeatedly swerved in and out of his lane.

“Georges’ driving habits were consistent with those of a drunk driver,” the press release states.

According to the press release, George nearly collided head-on with a vehicle in the area of ​​Gulf Road and Campagna Street and then crashed several times before turning east onto Detroit Road.

He then continued westbound on I-90 eastbound, nearly colliding head-on with an oncoming vehicle.

The Elyria officer was then able to position his patrol car in front of George’s vehicle to bring it to a stop. After the vehicles collided, George veered left off the road and then drove back onto the ramp, the news release said.

A Sheffield Village officer then collided with George in an attempt to force him off the road, but George was able to continue west on I-90 East.

The Elyria officer caught up with George’s vehicle and collided with it a second time. George was then diverted off the road and landed in the grass, where he came to rest in a ditch, the news release said.

George then got out of the vehicle and ran into the woods. The police repeatedly ordered him to lie on the ground, but he did not comply.

Eventually, the Elyria police officer used a taser on George. George eventually obeyed the officer’s orders not to move and placed his hands behind his back, the news release said.

George was then handcuffed and taken to the police car. He was taken into custody by the Sheffield Village Police Department.

When officers searched George’s vehicle, they found two open cans of VooDoo Ranger beer on the passenger seat. The vehicle “emanated the odor of an alcoholic beverage,” the press release said.

Geoffrey George was arrested near the 148 mile marker on I-90 south of Detroit Road at 5:38 a.m. He was charged with failure to comply, obstruction of official business, resisting arrest and reckless conduct.

According to the press release, George was admitted to Elyria University Hospital.