Ohio police release dashcam video of chase, fatal crash

PARMA, Ohio — A police chase in Ohio has left one man dead and two others injured.

The chase began early Monday morning with speeds reaching 60 mph in a 35 mph zone. It wasn't long before the driver, Robert Jones, 31, crashed into a garbage truck.

Just as officers reached the vehicle, it burst into flames. That's when police made a surprising discovery -- there are two other people in the vehicle, including a 5-month-old child. Both passengers were severely injured and the driver died.

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The driver was suspected of shoplifting and now members of the community are asking whether this chase should have even happened. Officials say if officers had known there were other occupants in the vehicle, they would have called the chase off. Authorities also pointed out that had Jones stopped for officers, the crash could have been avoided.

"Obviously they didn't know about the child. Had they known they would have terminated the chase immediately. {FLASH} He chose to run from the police and we have a job to do. I know it's a minor offense but if he would have stopped, I mean look at the lives he put in danger by doing this and he paid the ultimate sacrifice for it," Sgt. Daniel Ciryak of the Parma Police Department told WKYC.

Officials say the department leaves the choice to pursue a vehicle up to an officer's discretion.

NBC/WKYC