Accused Drug Trafficker Flips Car During Cleveland Car Chase

CLEVELAND, OH — An accused drug trafficker fled from Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers before flipping his car on Wednesday night, the agency said. Large amounts of cocaine were allegedly found in the suspect's car after it crashed.

The chase started at about 7:45 p.m. near Harvard Avenue. Troopers tried to stop a reckless car in the 4th District of Cleveland. The car refused to stop and sped up, leading to a lengthy car chase.

The troopers called in a helicopter to monitor the suspect, while troopers discontinued the pursuit. Eventually, the suspect, still speeding, hit another vehicle, then hit a utility pole and rolled his car, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

The suspect, 44-year-old Robert Poole, of Cleveland, was found with a large amount of cocaine. He was taken to University Hospital where he was treated and released with minor injuries. He has been incarcerated at Cleveland City Jail. Poole faces charges of fleeing and eluding, aggravated vehicular assault, drug possession and trafficking.

When Poole hit another vehicle, he allegedly injured 29-year-old Desirae Powell, also of Cleveland. Powell was taken to University Hospital where she was treated and eventually released.

"The Ohio State Highway Patrol would like to thank the Cleveland Police Department and the Cleveland Fire Department for their assistance with the incident," the patrol said in a statement.

Witnesses said the car chase may have skirted through parts of Cleveland Heights, specifically in the Kensington Avenue area. If that's the case, this would be the second high-speed car chase in three weeks that ended near Cleveland Heights.

In late May, the Ohio State Highway Patrol chased a suspect into the Noble Road area of the city. The suspect ditched his car around South Noble and tried to run into a ravine. He was intercepted and arrested by troopers.

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