Passenger in vehicle fleeing police dies in crash

GAHANNA – Police say a vehicle whose driver was fleeing officers crashed into a tree and a passenger in the vehicle has died.

Gahanna police say officers were pursuing 38-year-old Christopher McCleese II when the Gahanna man’s vehicle crashed into a tree at Clark State Road and Headley Road around 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Police say McCleese fled on foot and was taken into custody a short time later.

Police said in a Facebook post that the female passenger died at the scene. Her identity was being withheld until relatives could be notified.

Police say McCleese was being sought on a warrant charging felonious assault. Court records don’t show an attorney for him.