SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP / AKRON, OHIO — A truck driver was shot by police after allegedly stalking a victim to a Springfield Township IHOP and then leading law enforcement on a dangerous chase through two cities, during which two officers were thrown from his moving semi truck and several police cruisers and civilian vehicles were struck.

The incident began at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, when Springfield Township Police Department officers were dispatched to the IHOP at 2877 South Arlington Road for reports of a male creating a disturbance. The driver is believed to have traveled from out of state to stalk the victim at the establishment.

Upon officers' arrival, the suspect exited the restaurant, entered his semi truck, and pulled onto South Arlington Road before immediately turning into the adjacent Walmart parking lot at 2887 South Arlington Road. The suspect drove to the rear of the Walmart property, at which point officers positioned a marked cruiser in front of the semi truck in an attempt to prevent him from leaving. The suspect initially stopped but refused repeated commands to exit the vehicle.

As officers attempted to remove the suspect from the cab, he suddenly accelerated, maneuvering around the police cruiser toward South Arlington Road. One officer was able to safely jump from the moving vehicle, while a second officer was thrown from the truck and sustained injuries, including a concussion and a broken leg. The injured officer was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Springfield Township Police initiated a pursuit of the semi truck northbound on Interstate 77, which was terminated after the vehicle entered the City of Akron. At some point during the pursuit, the suspect hooked up a trailer believed to be stolen. The truck was later located on East Market Street in Akron.

"The driver of the semi went to the exit parking lot, struck several cruisers, headed westbound on East Market Street, struck a number of civilian vehicles as well, before striking another police cruiser," said Lieutenant Michael Murphy, Public Information Officer with the Akron Police Department. "When our officers encountered him they fired multiple shots, striking him at least one time."

The truck driver has not been identified and is currently hospitalized with injuries. The incident remains under active investigation, and no additional information has been released at this time.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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