CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Jalen Jackson, 24, pleaded guilty for stealing an Amazon van, fleeing from police, and crashing into a vehicle, killing 70-year-old doctor Curtis Birchall on I-90 in Cleveland near Fulton Road.

“Jalen Jackson has no regard for human life. His senseless decisions on December 6 directly caused 70-year-old Curtis Birchall’s death. Fortunately for the public, he will spend a significant portion of his life behind bars.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On December 6, 2023, Jalen Jackson approached an Amazon worker, 55, with a gun near Summit Park Road and Cleveland Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights. Jackson told the victim to get on the ground, and if he moved, he would “blow his f—– brains out.” Jackson then got into the Amazon van and fled the scene. The victim called the police, and the Cleveland Heights Police Department (CHPD) responded to the scene.

The CHPD saw Jackson driving the stolen Amazon van and attempted to execute a traffic stop. Jackson continued to flee at varying speeds of 60 mph to 100 mph. During the pursuit, he fired shots at CHPD officers. He then entered I-90 West, driving into oncoming traffic with his headlights off. He continued to drive the opposite way until he hit a vehicle head-on. Jackson exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. The CHPD immediately arrested Jackson after a brief foot pursuit. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced 70-year-old Curtis Birchall deceased.

On March 31, 2025, Jalen Jackson pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • One count of Involuntary Manslaughter
  • One count of Aggravated Robbery
  • One count of Discharge of a Firearm On or Near Prohibited Premises
  • One count of Failure to Comply with an Order or Signal of a Police Officer
  • One count of Having Weapons While Under Disability

 

In addition, Jalen Jackson pleaded guilty in two unrelated cases. He will be sentenced at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center on April 30 at 10 a.m. and faces a range of 26 to 34 years in prison with no early release.