3 dead after police chase ends with crash in Chester County

A police chase that began as a traffic stop ended in tragedy today in Chester County. Authorities say the fleeing car crash, killing three people inside. >> This all played out early this morning in New Garden Township. Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle after witnessing the driver committing multiple traffic violations. >> It is Friday afternoon and the big story on Action News today is that police chase that ended in a violent and deadly crash. >> We're hearing from the people who live right near that crash scene. Action News reporter Amanda Pittz is live in New Garden Township now with their reaction. Amanda? >> Yeah, Brian and Sarah. People in this area are shocked and saddened that three lives were lost here this morning. That pursuit started three and a half miles away and came to a tragic end here along busy Route 41 when that driver crashed into this tree. This is the start of a police pursuit overnight in New Garden Township that ended in a triple fatal crash. The driver of a silver sedan followed close behind by Pennsylvania State Police captured on camera by Carl Coleman. >> Basically was on my porch and um seen the cops chasing this car high rate of speed coming up here through here. So I ran outside on my back porch. Tire marks in the grass one street over show where the driver turned around and went back out through the neighborhood. >> They lost control back there in somebody else's uh yard and it came back around. >> State police say it all started just before 1:30 a.m. after troopers witnessed the driver commit multiple traffic violations in the area of East Third Street and Garner Drive. The pursuit lasted three and a half miles until the car crashed on Gap Newport Pike, killing all three people inside. >> Vehicles on fire after a pursuit. >> He was just trying to do a traffic stop and then it turned into like imagine seeing, you know, those people wrapped around that tree in their car. It's It's got to be, you know, hurtful for him, too. >> Route 41 was closed for much of the morning until the mangled car was towed away. >> It's horrible. Something that could have been avoided. staff members at a church a few doors down among those in this quiet farming community now anxiously awaiting for word about those three victims. >> We're just kind of sitting back waiting to see if um hopefully it's not somebody that we know, but just waiting to see if there's any way that we can help the families if they need. >> Now, no troopers were injured in this crash this morning. Investigators are now working to identify those victims and notify their families. Live in New Garden Township, Amanda Pitts, Channel 6 Action News.