On March 26, 2025, at approximately 6:15 p.m., the Summit County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an individual who had been driving recklessly in Coventry Township. Deputies located the vehicle in a parking lot on Manchester Road in Coventry. It was determined the vehicle had been reported stolen from the City of Akron.
As the deputy approached the vehicle and gave the driver commands to exit the vehicle, the suspect fled the scene. As the suspect fled, he struck a parked vehicle and almost hit multiple pedestrians in the parking lot.
The suspect was located a short time later on Portage Lakes Drive. The deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, and the suspect subsequently struck several items near the roadway. The suspect’s vehicle started to smoke and then became engulfed in flames. The New Franklin Fire Department responded to the scene.
The suspect refused to exit the vehicle and a Sheriff’s K9 was able to apprehend the suspect without further incident. The suspect was treated and released by the New Franklin Fire Department.
The suspect was identified as Stephen P. Simpson, age 38 of Barberton. Simpson was arrested and charged with Driving Left of Center, Traffic Control Devices, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Reckless Operation. Simpson was transported to the Summit County Jail. Further charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
