A 33-year-old North Randall police officer died Wednesday morning after he was ejected from his car in a crash on State Route 176 in Cleveland.
The crash happened around 4 a.m. on State Route 176 near the Steelyard Drive exit ramp.
The driver, identified as Officer Herschell Whitfield, was in a 2014 Chevrolet Impala heading southbound on 176 when he lost control of the vehicle and drove off the right side of the ramp, according to Cleveland police.
The Impala went off the road, struck a guardrail and rolled over, causing Whitfield to be ejected from the car, police said.
Authorities did not specify if he was wearing a seatbelt.
Whitfield was transported by EMS and pronounced dead at MetroHealth Medical Center.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
North Randall Police Chief Ronald Mosley issued the following statement on Thursday:
The whole community of the Village of North Randall is deeply saddened from the tragic death of Police Officer Herschell Whitfield. Officer Whitfield had been employed by the Village of North Randall, since 2013. Officer Whitfield was a Department morale booster and a pleasure to have as an employee. Officer Whitfield was an advocate against bullying. He led an anti-bullying campaign and programs for the Village's young people. We are praying for the Family of Officer Whitfield and mourning his loss.
