CINCINNATI -- An affidavit revealed new details in a high-speed police chase that left three people hurt, including how it began and how fast police say the suspect drove.
The chase ended when the suspect crashed into a downtown Cincinnati building Sunday morning. One of his passengers was thrown from the car, which then caught fire.
Norwood officers originally were called to a report of aggravated menacing on Baker Street, according to an affidavit from Sgt. Michael Borchers. The suspect was reported to have a gun.
Borchers said he stopped the car on Montgomery Road near Cleneay Avenue. He said he smelled alcohol and asked the driver, 32-year-old Marlon Johnson, if he had a gun.
Johnson got "extremely nervous," reached for something near the center console and drove off, Borchers' affidavit says. He then led police south on Interstate 71 to Interstate 471 in Campbell County, Kentucky, Sgt. Tim Buchanan said.
Speeds reached more than 100 mph, the affidavit says.
Johnson exited in Newport, then got on the Taylor Southgate Bridge and came back to Cincinnati, according to Lt. Ronald Murphy with Norwood PD.
Johnson went back into Ohio and was speeding across Ninth Street, according to the Cincinnati Police Department. He didn't stop for a red light at Elm Street and hit Jonathan Palmer III's car, Cincinnati police said.
Johnson's car hit a building on the northwest corner and caught fire. Jade Jenkins, 21, was riding in the front seat of Johnson's car, and police said neither of them was wearing a seatbelt. Jenkins was thrown from the car; Cincinnati police said she had serious injuries and was being treated at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Johnson also was taken to the hospital for treatment.
A Norwood officer was able to put out the car fire.
NEW: CPD says driver in the pursued car has serious injuries. Alcohol believed to be a factor. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/a5sy6q42qP
— T.J. Parker (@TJParkerWCPO) October 8, 2017
Palmer, 41, was wearing a seatbelt, Cincinnati police said. He also was taken to UC Medical Center with a dislocated shoulder, broken wrist, cut to his face and glass and his eye, the affidavit says.
Excessive speed and impairment were factors in the crash, according to Cincinnati police.
Buchanan said the suspect would be charged with felonious assault, aggravated menacing and operating a vehicle under the influence.
Cincinnati police are still investigating; any witnesses should call the Cincinnati Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514.
