Ohio Police Officer Killed in Crash During Pursuit

SPRINGDALE, Ohio — One officer is dead and another was injured after a police chase ended in a crash on a Cincinnati-area highway Saturday night.

Springdale Police Officer Kaia Grant, 33, was killed in the crash on Interstate 275 at state Route 4 around 8:30 p.m., according to Police Chief Thomas Wells.

Grant was an eight-year veteran of the department in Springdale, a city in the northern Cincinnati suburbs.

Grant was transported to University of Cincinnati Hospital by Air Care where she was pronounced dead, according to a press release.

"Can't thank our officers enough. Our officers immediately came to the station, they were prepared to do anything we need to do to make sure we support one another. I appreciate wholeheartedly the agencies that are currently covering our city because, frankly, we're not in a position to do this right now. We're hurting," Wells said.

Grant was hired by Springdale in August 2012, and graduated from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy in 2013, according to a City of Springdale newsletter.

"I just want to thank all the personnel from University Hospital for working valiantly to try to save Kaia's life and for the police agencies that assisted down there and the outpouring of support I've already been receiving from departments around the county. Again, I thank you and I'm so sorry that's the news we have to report tonight. God bless you, Kaia," Wells said.

Sgt. Andrew Davis was injured in the crash and taken to University of Cincinnati Hospital West Chester. He has been released.

"What I would ask you from a personal side is that this is a deep tragedy for our city and for our police officers and for Kaia's family and we would ask that the public keep all of us – I stand here representing everyone in this room as the Springdale Police – I ask you to keep us in your thoughts and prayers and please keep Kaia and her family in your thoughts and prayers," Wells said.

The officers were involved in a police pursuit that started elsewhere. The driver being pursued by other law enforcement officers hit their stopped Springdale police vehicle , which was operated by Grant. It's not clear if the officers were outside the cruiser.

A male suspect was taken into custody and also is hospitalized, Riordan said. A firearm was recovered from the scene, officials said.

The investigation is being handled by Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

———

Visit The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio) at www.dispatch.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.