A 24-year-old Maple Heights man was in Akron Municipal Court Friday on charges related to a high-speed chase on Interstate 77 Thursday.
Michael Hodge, 24, is charged with fleeing and eluding, felonious assault on a police officer, obstructing official business, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of a schedule II substance and drug trafficking. Police say he hit two cruisers during the chase that started in Akron.
Hodge remains in the Summit County Jail on a $100,000, 10 percent bond, or $10,800 cash. He is scheduled for another court appearance on Feb. 14.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the chase started in Akron when troopers saw the car swerving. Hodge was traveling 77 North near 277 West in Akron.
Troopers tried to stop the 2017 Hyundai driven by Hodge, but when the suspect got to I-77 near White Pond Drive the driver hit a state trooper vehicle.
The chase continued through Copley and Bath townships where another state trooper vehicle was struck north of Ghent Road.
When an officer attempted to stop him with a spike strip on I-77, Hodge drove across the median, which was covered in snow, to avoid the strip.
He eventually went back to the correct side of the highway and continued to flee police.
The suspect intentionally struck two cruisers, disabling them both,” Sgt. Neil Laughlin of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. “Another cruiser made an intentional contact with Hodge’s car from the rear causing it to crash. The chase ended on Brecksville Road in Richfield. The suspect then jumped out on foot and ran. He ran into a wooded area where a lengthy foot chase took place and he was eventually apprehended on foot.”
Authorities say Hodge threw ammunition for a 40 caliber handgun and an assault rifle from the car during the chase, which was recovered from the road.
“No weapons were located on the suspect or inside the vehicle,” said Laughlin. “We did find crack cocaine, heroin, narcotic pills and digital scales on his person.”
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com or Follow her on Twitter@MarilynMillerBJ.