Two Akron police officers are recovering at home after being involved in a violent crash at the intersection of South Arlington Street and Georgia Avenue Wednesday.
According to police, Officers Karl Lessman and William Culver were responding to a report of a fight around 10:30 p.m. when a stolen minivan drove west from Georgia Avenue into the path of the patrol SUV. The impact was so severe that it tore the left front tire and axle from Akron police SUV.
Surveillance video from Best-N-Value Auto Sales captured the crash from two different vantage points.
The police SUV came to rest in a parking lot. Both officers were then transported to Akron General Medical Center for treatment. One officer was treated for head and hand injuries. The second was treated for a cut to the lower lip and knee injuries.
The driver of the stolen minivan tried to drive away from the scene, but the van suffered too much damage to continue. He jumped out and ran after leaving the van against a building in the parking lot across from the wrecked police SUV.
Officers found the suspect's phone in the minivan and were following leads on his whereabouts on Thursday afternoon. No charges have been filed yet.
Both officers were released from the hospital on Thursday morning.
South Arlington Street has the right of way at the intersection with Georgia Avenue.
Police at the scene said they were not sure if the overhead lights were on before the crash. The rear facing lights were flashing but it is not clear if they were activated during the crash.
