INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — An officer from the Independent Police Department was injured after he fell on the ice during a foot chase Thursday morning, according to a report from police.
Shortly after 1:00 a.m., police responded to a call of a driver who appeared passed out at the wheel on Rockside Road, east of Oak Tree Boulevard.
A responding officer witnessed the vehicle going onto the I-77 northbound ramp before taking the I-480 eastbound ramp.
John Bell, 26, was seen weaving in and out of the left lane as he traveled eastbound on I-480. The officer said Bell appeared to be talking on a cell phone.
A traffic stop was initiated for a lane violation. Bell told police that he didn’t have his license on him and that he didn’t know his social security number.
When police asked him to get out of the car, Bell ran southwest, which led to a foot pursuit. The officer was injured with an apparent broken foot after slipping on an icy surface.
Another responding officer used a stun gun on the driver to arrest him before being transported to the hospital for his injuries.
According to the report, Bell lied about his identity during his transport to the hospital. Eventually he identified himself with his real name and admitted that he had active warrants in Medina County and misdemeanor warrants in Parma Heights.
