CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging 22-year-old Zayd Alameen with murder, among other charges, for stealing a vehicle, driving away at a high rate of speed, and causing a multi-car crash that killed 54-year-old James Cook and injured three others.

“This defendant turned a stolen car into a missile and struck these innocent victims at 107 mph on Lorain Avenue during rush hour. His conduct was beyond outrageous, and sadly, he cost one victim their life, devastating that family, and injured many others.”

– Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On April 24, 2026, around 5:15 p.m., an owner of a 2017 GMC Acadia left his keys inside his vehicle and parked on West 130th Street in Cleveland. Zayd Alameen walked up to the vehicle, entered it, and drove westbound on Lorain Avenue, reaching speeds over 100 mph.

As he approached the intersection of Lorain Avenue and West 150th Street, he struck a 2009 Toyota driven by a 23-year-old male, with a 22-year-old female front-seat passenger, and a 21-year-old male passenger in the backseat. Alameen also struck a 2018 Honda Civic driven by 54-year-old James Cook. The Honda Civic then struck two additional vehicles traveling eastbound on Lorain Avenue before coming to rest in the middle of the intersection.

The Cleveland Division of Police, Cleveland Fire, and Cleveland EMS all responded to the scene. Alameen was arrested at the scene.

The 23-year-old male, the 22-year-old female, the 21-year-old male, and James Cook were all transported to a nearby hospital. James Cook was later pronounced deceased. The other three victims were treated for their injuries, with the female victim suffering from broken bones.

On April 29, 2026, Zayd Alameen was indicted on the following charges:

  • Two counts of Murder (B)
  • One count of Involuntary Manslaughter (F1)
  • Two counts of Aggravated Robbery (F1)
  • Two counts of Felonious Assault (F2)
  • Two counts of Robbery (F2)
  • One count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (F3)
  • One count of Vehicular Assault (F4)
  • One count of Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle (F4)
  • One count of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (M1)

He will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.