TOWN OF FISHKILL — A motorist was seriously injured Sunday evening when a vehicle that had earlier been pursued by police in the Town of Newburgh crossed into the westbound lanes of Interstate 84 and struck a pickup truck head-on, authorities said.
The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. in the westbound lanes of I-84, just east of Route 9D. The driver of the vehicle that police had attempted to stop fled the crash on foot, prompting a multi-agency manhunt that lasted approximately 45 minutes.
Town of Newburgh police had attempted to stop the motorist near the former Newburgh Mall on Route 300, but the driver failed to stop and fled eastbound on I-84.
Officers pursued the vehicle across the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge into Dutchess County. After crossing the bridge, Town of Newburgh police turned off their emergency lights and terminated the pursuit near the I-84 interchange with Route 9D.
The vehicle continued east at a high rate of speed while Newburgh officers followed at a reduced speed.
Moments later, officers encountered a two-vehicle crash in the westbound lanes involving the vehicle they had previously pursued.
The driver apparently attempted to make a U-turn through the median, lost control and entered the westbound lanes, where the vehicle collided head-on with a pickup truck.
Officers immediately called for emergency personnel.
New York State Police, Chelsea and Glenham firefighters and a Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps crew responded to the scene. The pickup truck driver was treated for serious injuries before being transported to St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh.
The driver of the other vehicle got out after the crash and fled on foot, witnesses said.
Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies began searching the interstate and nearby neighborhoods, including areas around Heritage Financial Park, formerly known as Dutchess Stadium. Drones and police K-9 units were deployed during the search.
Approximately 45 minutes after the crash, officers located the driver hiding in tall grass along I-84, about a half-mile east of the crash scene.
The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Police did not immediately release the suspect’s name, the reason officers initially attempted to stop the vehicle in Newburgh or information about possible charges.
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