A 28-year-old man is dead, and a 69-year-old woman remains hospitalized after a wrong-way, high-speed crash in Mt. Airy, Cincinnati. The accident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, involved a stolen SUV driven by a 15-year-old boy attempting to flee from police. The tragic sequence of events started in neighboring Green Township, where local police attempted to stop the vehicle, a 2023 Honda CR-V, reported stolen from Cincinnati.
According to Green Township authorities, the incident began at 7:35 a.m. when officers identified the stolen vehicle on North Bend Road and tried to initiate a traffic stop. Rather than complying, the teenage driver deliberately swerved toward a marked police cruiser in an attempt to evade capture. In their official statement, Green Township police described how the suspect “purposely swerved to the left, striking a marked Green Township Police cruiser.” Following this, the Honda CR-V sped eastward along North Bend Road, with officers engaging in a short pursuit. However, the chase was brief, as the police quickly lost sight of the vehicle near the 2300 block of North Bend Road.
Moments later, at approximately 7:40 a.m., the situation turned deadly. Police discovered that the stolen SUV had crossed into oncoming traffic near the 2200 block of North Bend Road, colliding with two other vehicles. Cincinnati police, who took over the investigation after the crash, revealed that the speeding Honda had veered over the center line and slammed into a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox SUV and a 2018 BMW 540i sedan.
The driver of the BMW, later identified as 28-year-old Yousha Humphrey of Evanston, suffered severe injuries and was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Despite medical efforts, Humphrey was pronounced dead later that day. Authorities confirmed that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision, a factor that may have contributed to the severity of his injuries.
The second victim, a 69-year-old woman driving the Chevrolet SUV, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. She was promptly taken to Mercy Health West Hospital in Green Township. Police confirmed that she had been wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash, which likely helped mitigate the extent of her injuries.
After the crash, the teenage driver fled the scene on foot, abandoning the wrecked Honda CR-V. A manhunt ensued, and Cincinnati police later apprehended the 15-year-old suspect. His identity has not been released due to his age, but authorities have confirmed that he is in custody. It remains unclear whether the teenager was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, as he escaped the vehicle before officers arrived.
Excessive speed has been identified as a key factor in the crash, according to both Green Township and Cincinnati police. The violent nature of the impact, along with the teen’s reckless driving and decision to flee the scene, adds to the severity of the charges he may face. Investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the fatal crash and are working to determine whether other factors, such as substance use, played a role in the teen’s actions.
This tragic incident marks yet another example of the dangers posed by high-speed police chases and reckless driving, especially when involving inexperienced drivers. The 15-year-old suspect now faces serious legal consequences, and Yousha Humphrey’s family and the injured woman are left to grapple with the aftermath of the deadly collision.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or stolen vehicles immediately. While police chases are often unpredictable, they emphasize that compliance during traffic stops is essential to ensure the safety of all parties involved. This heartbreaking event underscores the need for both responsible driving and timely cooperation with law enforcement to prevent further tragedies on the road.