Cleveland Police seek help identifying people who left scene after Pearl Road crash hospitalized passenger
Investigation focuses on crash at Pearl Road and Denison Avenue
Cleveland police are asking for the public’s help to identify three individuals described as “persons of interest” after a serious late-night crash on the city’s southwest side. Investigators say the three were at the scene but left before officers arrived.
The crash occurred March 9, 2026, at about 10:51 p.m. in the area of Pearl Road and Denison Avenue. Police said responding officers found a two-vehicle collision involving a 2023 Dodge Charger and a 2007 Honda Accord.
What police say happened
Investigators said the Dodge Charger was traveling northbound on Pearl Road at a high speed when it ran a red light. Police said the Charger then struck the Honda Accord as the Accord was turning into a parking lot.
A 38-year-old passenger in the Honda Accord suffered life-threatening injuries, was transported by EMS to a hospital, and remained hospitalized as of the latest police update.
Police have not publicly identified the injured passenger, the Honda’s driver, or any occupants of the Dodge Charger.
Why identification matters in hit-skip cases
Cleveland’s Accident Investigation Unit is handling the case. Under Cleveland Police procedures for hit-skip investigations, serious-injury crashes can trigger a felony-level response and may involve specialized investigators and evidence-processing steps, including collection of physical evidence from suspected vehicles when located.
Police procedures also require documentation intended to support follow-up investigations when a driver or key witnesses are not immediately identified, including formal crash reporting and supplemental tracking specific to hit-skip cases.
What is known—and what remains unclear
Confirmed by police: the crash location (Pearl Road and Denison Avenue), time (about 10:51 p.m.), vehicle models (2023 Dodge Charger; 2007 Honda Accord), and that a 38-year-old Honda passenger suffered life-threatening injuries and remained hospitalized.
Confirmed by police: three “persons of interest” were at the scene and left before officers arrived.
Not publicly detailed: whether the Charger’s driver remained at the scene, the number of occupants in each vehicle, and whether impairment is suspected.
How to provide information
Police are asking anyone who recognizes the individuals or has information about the crash to contact the Cleveland Police Accident Investigation Unit at 216-623-5295 or Detective Bilko at 216-623-3363.