New questions surround crash of SUV carrying Cleveland mayor: I-Team

CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered new questions surrounding the crash of a police SUV carrying Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.

A citizen’s complaint has now put the rest of the investigation on hold.

This comes to light three months after the crash. Instead of the case wrapping up, it has expanded. The investigation into what happened with “Car 1” just got more complicated.

Records show, in June, a Cleveland police officer driving the mayor put on emergency lights, went through a stoplight, then collided with another vehicle.

Now, three months later, no ticket, no discipline and no end to the internal investigation.

The office of professional standards is also investigating a citizens complaint over this against the mayor’s driver.

Police have not identified the mayor’s driver, but the administrator of the office of professional standards told us by phone that someone filed a complaint related to abuse of authority and putting citizens in harm’s way.

The crash left the other driver’s van totaled.

Police video shows, at the scene, the other driver told police he had the green light.

“I was coming across 12th Street, and the next thing I know, I was in the intersection and here I am,” he said.

The I-Team has also obtained what the mayor’s driver told a supervisor about the crash. We reported earlier that the officer been rushing the mayor to a meeting at city hall. That meeting centered around a computer hack that had happened days before.

The mayor’s driver told a boss, in part, “After securing my protectee from his residence…I was made aware a meeting was taking place. In order to arrive in a timely manner, I began to drive with a sense of urgency.”

Police say a committee has reviewed the crash to consider if it was preventable. However, police have not revealed the findings.

The city did not immediately release the citizen’s complaint requested by the I-Team.

A witness at the scene blamed the officer driving the mayor, telling police, “didn’t slam on the brakes or nothing. Just slammed right into him.”

Meanwhile, there’s still no decision on a ticket or discipline. We’ve learned all of that is now on hold while police investigate that citizen’s complaint. That could also eventually lead to discipline.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.