Cleveland, OH (August 22, 2026) – A 27-year-old man was killed, and a toddler was seriously hurt on Thursday, August 20, after a shooting and two-vehicle crash at East 55th Street and Cedar Avenue.
The police were called around 6:30 p.m. after the vehicles collided, splitting one of them in half. The car driven by Deven Wheat Jr. then struck a utility pole, ejecting Wheat and a 16-month-old boy.
Wheat was taken to University Hospitals, where he died from his injuries. The toddler remained hospitalized until Friday, while the other driver was not hurt.
Detectives later found a bullet hole in Wheat’s car. Hospital staff confirmed he had been shot, likely before the vehicles collided, prompting a homicide investigation. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and collision remain under investigation.
Our condolences go to Wheat’s loved ones, and we hope the young child recovers.
How Can a Shooting Complicate a Traffic Crash Investigation?
A traffic crash involving a suspected shooting can require investigators to examine more than vehicle movements and roadway conditions. Evidence from the vehicles, roadway, and surrounding property may help establish what happened before the vehicles collided.
Investigators may examine bullet damage, vehicle positions, debris patterns, and other physical evidence. Medical findings can also help establish whether a person suffered an injury before or during a traffic crash.
Witness accounts may provide additional information about vehicle movements, sounds, or actions immediately before the collision. Investigators can compare those accounts with physical evidence to develop a clearer timeline. When a child is involved, medical records may also help document the extent of the injuries.
