In the early hours of May 15, a traffic incident escalated into a vehicle pursuit when a trooper from the Canton Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol attempted to pull over a 2017 Cadillac XTS for a moving violation.
The pursuit took place on Cleveland Avenue NW near 27th Street NW, and ended with the Cadillac crashing into an apartment building after losing control.
According to authorities, as the trooper signaled for the Cadillac to stop, the driver failed to comply and sped away, initiating a chase. While fleeing northbound on Cleveland Avenue NW, the Cadillac veered off the left side of the road, colliding with a utility pole before crashing into the Oak Glen Apartments building. The collision impacted an apartment situated on the lower level of the building’s southeast corner before coming to a halt.
As a result of the crash, two occupants of the apartment that was struck, identified as Dawn Miller, 50, and Daniel Miller II, 31, sustained injuries caused by debris from the collision. They were promptly transported to a local hospital for treatment, with non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the crash, all residents of the apartment building were promptly evacuated as a precautionary measure. The Oak Glen Apartment Building Department arrived at the scene to assess the damage. No structural harm was reported as a result of the crash. All residents were allowed to return to their apartments.
The driver of the Cadillac involved in the pursuit was identified as 56-year-old Brian E. Lizotte, a resident of Canton. Following the crash, Lizotte was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Upon investigation, authorities determined that Lizotte was impaired at the time of the incident. He now faces multiple charges including Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI), classified as a misdemeanor, as well as Aggravated Vehicular Assault and Fleeing and Eluding, both considered felonies. It was revealed that Lizotte has had six prior OVI convictions.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing as law enforcement officials gather evidence and examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.