OSP releases cruiser cam video in fatal crash following pursuit in Dayton

UPDATE @ 4:45 p.m. (July 16):

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has released the cruiser camera video today from a fatal crash Saturday following a pursuit.

UPDATE @ 10:54 a.m.:

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Dayton Post has identified the driver involved in a fatal crash Saturday in Dayton following a pursuit.

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Thurston Melson, 37, was driving a 2007 Dodge Magnum on Gettysburg Avenue near Oakridge Drive when a trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop, according to a release from the OSP.

Melson reportedly failed to stop and fled onto Oakridge Drive. According to OSP, the vehicle ran a stop sign and struck a utility pole.

Melson was taken to Miami Valley Hospital and was listed in serious condition.

His passenger, Ebony Radford, 35, died at the scene, troopers said.

The crash remains under investigation.

UPDATE @ 9:57 a.m.:

Ebony Radford, 35, of Dayton was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash after a short police pursuit in Dayton Saturday, Montgomery County Coroner’s Office confirmed.

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Radford was as passenger of the vehicle that failed to stop at a traffic stop around 1:40 a.m. at Gettysburg Avenue and Oakridge Drive.

The identity of the driver has not been released, but he was taken to Miami Valley Hospital in stable condition, according to the highway patrol.

UPDATE @ 3:59 a.m.:

A female passenger involved in a car crash after a police pursuit was pronounced dead at the scene, Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Matt Robinson said.

The accident occurred shorty before 1:40 a.m. Saturday after a trooper initiated a traffic stop at Gettysburg Avenue and Oakridge Drive.

Robinson said the car failed to stop, turned right on Oakridge Drive then lost control and crashed into an RTA pole after a short, 20-second pursuit. The rear end of the vehicle split in half on impact.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as male, was transported to Miami Valley Hospital in stable condition.

Robinson said the trooper was not injured.

The victims’ identities have not been released.

UPDATE @ 2:34 a.m.:

Dayton police have arrived to assist Ohio State Highway Patrol units in an accident near Oakridge Drive and Cleverly Road that occurred after a police pursuit.

An ambulance escorted by police has left the scene.

FIRST REPORT

Ohio State Highway Patrol units are on scene of a car crash near Oakridge Drive and Cleverly Road in Dayton that reportedly occurred after a short police pursuit.

OSP confirmed units were dispatched to the scene at 1:40 a.m. Saturday.

Scanner reports indicated the two people inside the vehicle have to be extracted because the doors will not open. One person is reportedly unconscious.

We are on our way to the scene and will update this story as more details become available.

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