Youngstown Police pursuit ends in fiery crash, driver charged

Miranda Hinchcliffe

 YOUNGSTOWN - A police chase in Youngstown ended with an SUV catching fire after crashing into a wooded area on the city’s South Side. The driver, identified as Miranda Hinchliffe, 20, of Youngstown, faces a felony charge of fleeing and eluding, as well as a traffic control device violation.

According to a police report, an officer spotted a Subaru Crosstrek run a red light early Saturday at the intersection of South Avenue and Gibson Street. The officer turned on his cruiser’s lights and sirens, trying to pull the SUV over.

The driver, later identified as Hinchliffe, accelerated and turned east onto Indianola Avenue, disregarding the officer's signals. according to the police.

During the pursuit, the Subaru went off the road and into a wooded area, where it caught fire. Using a fire extinguisher from a police cruiser, an officer put out the flames.

Police released two passengers who were in the SUV.  After being evaluated at a hospital, Hinchcliffe was booked into the county jail.

Court records show Hinchliffe was scheduled for a video arraignment on Friday afternoon.

The report does not give a reason why Hinchcliffe tried to flee from the police.