The Gahanna Division of Police identified a woman who died in a crash Wednesday night following a police chase. Authorities believe Shannon Currier was the victim of felonious assault by the car's driver just days earlier.
Currier lived on Park Road in Gahanna. She was killed when a vehicle driven by Christopher McCleese II crashed during a police pursuit.
Gahanna Police were trying to arrest McCleese over an active warrant for felonious assault. That warrant was issued following a domestic incident that Currier reported to police on January 3. She said McCleese punched her in the face and back of the head, and choked her to the point of losing consciousness.
On the night of January 8, police spotted McCleese’s vehicle leaving the area of E. Johnstown Road. They pursued McCleese for about four minutes before McCleese lost control of the vehicle on Clark State Road at Headley Road. Police say Currier was a passenger in the car.
McCleese survived the crash and fled on foot. He was taken to Mount Carmel East hospital for non-life threatening injuries, before being taken to Franklin County Jail.
Gahanna deputy police chief Jeffrey Lawless says the department will likely charge McCleese in relation to Currier's death.
Police are still investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call the department at 614-342-4240.
