Man stuck under Brent Spence Bridge after chase, crash arrested. What we know

Traffic across the Brent Spence Bridge came to a halt for hours Monday night as police worked to free a man who wedged himself underneath the bridge after fleeing during a police pursuit.

Covington Police were chasing the man, believed to be connected to a home invasion burglary this past week, until he crashed his car on the bridge, department spokesman Justin Bradbury said.

He took off on foot and climbed under the bridge, getting stuck in an awkward position where he didn’t “feel safe moving” from under the bridge, Bradbury said.

Police went under the bridge and were able to free the man.

Here’s what we know.

What caused the Brent Spence Bridge to close on Monday?

Shortly before 4 p.m., Covington Police learned a car connected to a recent home invasion burglary was driving north on Interstate 71/75 approaching Interstate 275, according to a department news release.

A pursuit began as the driver later identified as Joshua Baker fled from officers north and across the Brent Spence Bridge. Police said he lost control and crashed into two other cars.

Baker then got out of the car and fled on foot, attempting to carjack one of the two cars he ran into. As police closed in on him, Baker climbed over the side of the bridge and hid in the support beams underneath for several hours, according to the release.

Once police found Baker, he surrendered but told them he was in an awkward position where he didn’t “feel safe moving” from under the bridge, Bradbury said.

How long was the Brent Spence Bridge closed?

Traffic was at a standstill for roughly four hours Monday night.

Baker crashed his car around 4:30 p.m. on the northbound lower level of the bridge and fled on foot, causing police to close all northbound lanes as they searched for him.

As the search continued, police closed all bridge lanes until it reopened at roughly 8:20 p.m.

Going northbound, cars were backed up on I-71/75 at times to the Interstate 275 interchange in Kentucky. Southbound, cars were backed up to the Western Hills Viaduct in Cincinnati.

Who was the man arrested for climbing on the Brent Spence Bridge?

Joshua Baker, 38, of Cincinnati, faces two counts of fleeing and one count each of wanton, criminal mischief, carjacking and driving on a suspended license. He also had four outstanding warrants.

Baker was taken to St. Elizabeth Covington Hospital to be treated for exposure to the cold before being booked at the Kenton County jail.

Was anyone hurt in the Monday night incident on the bridge?

Police said Baker lost control and crashed into two other cars on the lower deck of the bridge. A woman who was riding in the car with Baker was taken to the hospital by ambulance to be treated for minor injuries.

The drivers of the two cars that were hit did not need medical attention, police said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Brent Spence Bridge closure: Man stuck under after pursuit arrested