One person arrested following police chase in Ohio

OHIO — A 39-year-old woman led police on a dangerous chase through multiple cities before being arrested on Sept. 7, according to the Westlake Police Department.

The pursuit began around 11 p.m. when an officer attempted to stop a vehicle weaving in the westbound lanes of Interstate 90. Police said the driver, later identified as Heather Simon of Westlake, was wanted on outstanding warrants, including one for felony theft in Lorain County.

Simon initially pulled onto the berm but refused to stop. Officers then used a PIT maneuver to spin out her car, but she continued driving, heading the wrong way on I-90 before exiting in Avon. Police said she then drove recklessly on Detroit Road and re-entered I-90 eastbound at Crocker Road.

Rocky River police deployed stop sticks, flattening two of Simon’s tires. Westlake officers performed a second PIT maneuver, successfully boxing in the vehicle.

When ordered to exit, Simon got out holding her purse and talking on a cell phone. Body camera video captured officers shouting commands for her to drop her belongings. “It’s like she’s getting out at the shopping mall or something, didn’t even seem to realize what was going on,” said Captain Jerry Vogel.

Simon was arrested on charges including felony fleeing and driving under suspension. Police said she claimed she was suffering from a seizure and was taken to University Hospitals St. John Medical Center. However, Vogel noted that doctors determined she was “feigning illness,” delaying but not preventing her trip to jail.