Multiple people were seriously injured after a police pursuit in Fairfax County ended in a fiery crash Monday night, Virginia State Police say.
State troopers went to help Alexandria police stop a Hyundai Elantra after a call at about 11:20 p.m. Monday. State police said they suspect the Hyundai had been stolen in Prince George's County, Maryland.
The driver of the Hyundai refused to stop for Alexandria police, and a pursuit began on Van Dorn Street. State police joined the pursuit at Van Dorn and Vine streets.
The chase occurred on Van Dorn Street, Telegraph Road, Route 236 and Route 1, police said.
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The Hyundai driver rammed into the back of a state police vehicle. The police vehicle then crashed into a utility pole, causing several wires to fall onto a street. News4 video shows the utility pole sliced in two, with part of it appearing to dangle from wires.
The driver of the Hyundai kept going and ran a red light at the intersection of Route 1 and Fort Hunt Road in the Belle Haven area, police said. That's just south of the Capital Beltway.
The driver then hit two other vehicles — a Chevy Silverado Electric pickup truck and a Toyota Corolla — before the Hyundai burst into flames.
Troopers and a Fairfax County police officer pulled people from Hyundai and gave first aid, state police said. One person in the Hyundai was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital. Three other occupants were taken to nearby hospitals with serious injuries.
The driver of the Silverado was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. No one in the Corolla was hurt.
A stolen firearm was recovered from the Hyundai's driver.
The investigation is ongoing, and charges are pending.
All lanes were reopened on Route 1. Car debris remained in the area before rush hour Tuesday evening.
What we know about Virginia State Police, chases and innocent bystanders hurt
Just last month, Virginia State Police were involved in another high-speed chase, along I-95 near Quantico.
State police say they were chasing a Kia that had been carjacked in Prince George’s County a half-hour earlier. According to police, the driver hit two police cruisers, causing one of them to flip over.
When troopers were able to talk with the driver, he made suspicious movements with his hands, police said. Officers opened fire and killed him.
News4 obtained data showing Virginia State Police were involved in 497 chases in 2022 and 716 chases in 2023. Last year, 28 innocent bystanders were injured during those chases, police say.
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