Police: Passenger in vehicle fleeing police dies in crash

GAHANNA, Ohio (AP) — A vehicle whose driver was fleeing police crashed into a tree Wednesday, and a passenger in the vehicle died, authorities in Ohio said.

Officers were pursuing a vehicle driven by Christopher McCleese II when it crashed into a tree around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Gahanna police said in a Facebook post. McCleese, 38, of Gahanna, then fled on foot and was captured a short time later, according to police.

Police said the female passenger in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. They identified her Thursday as Shannon E. Currier, 44.

McCleese was being pursued by police on a warrant charging felonious assault, according to police and court records.

McCleese was taken to a hospital after his capture with injuries that weren’t life-threatening, police said.. He was later transported to jail, where he was being held on the felony warrant. McCleese was scheduled for a hearing Friday in Franklin County Municipal Court, according to jail records.

Court records did not show an attorney for McCleese.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the crash.