A high-speed chase ended in Northampton, Massachusetts, after the driver crashed his car into a construction contractor's truck early Wednesday morning.
Around 2:40 a.m., state troopers attempted to stop the driver of a Ford Mustang that was spotted on Interstate 91 northbound in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Darryl Whitaker, 54, of Chicopee, was wanted by Springfield police for warrants and motor vehicle violations.
According to police, Whitaker drove away at a high rate of speed and led police on a chase into Northampton. A tire deflation device was used that deflated the car’s right tire as he continued to flee police.
He then lost control of the vehicle and hit a construction sign at a road project site before crashing into a construction truck parked in the median.
Whitaker’s car burst into flames while he was trapped inside. Troopers pulled him out of the vehicle. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.
The road construction sign that Whitaker struck had a piece break off and hit one of the pursuing police cruisers.
The road contractor who was in or near the truck suffered minor injuries and was transported to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.
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Whitaker will be charged with several outstanding warrants and motor vehicle offenses connected to his failure to stop for police.
I-91 northbound was closed at Exit 18 while police cleared the scene before being reopened around 6 a.m.
