After hitting several parked cars, a Massachusetts man continued driving erratically and ultimately slammed into a pickup truck, ejecting its driver, police said.
Around 11:40 a.m. on Monday, the driver of a sedan went inside a business at East Central Street in Franklin, caused a disturbance and then left. As he left, he hit several cars in the parking lot, according to the Franklin Police Department.
Officers stopped the sedan and identified the driver as a 59-year-old Franklin resident who was known to the Franklin Police Department. Officials have not released the man’s name as of Tuesday morning.
However, during the stop, he started driving again. He led police on a low-speed pursuit down King Street, police said. He then sped up as he entered Interstate 495 south.
“Due to the excessive speeds and unsafe driving conditions, Officers terminated the pursuit and notified the Massachusetts State Police,” police wrote in a statement.
About 20 minutes later, officials said he drove into the breakdown lane on Route 140 to get around traffic. He then proceeded through a red light and struck a pickup truck that was heading westbound on School Street through the intersection in Mansfield, police said.
The truck rolled onto its side and ejected the driver.
Several witnesses and motorists began rendering aid before first responders arrived.
The driver of the pickup truck was taken by ambulance to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries that appeared to be non-life-threatening. And the driver of the sedan was taken to Boston Medical Center – South in Brockton with similar injuries.
A traffic signal pole was also hit, knocking out all signals. The intersection will remain closed while repairs are made.
Officials stated they are planning to charge the man with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, marked lanes violation, red light violation and disorderly conduct. Additional charges are expected in connection with the crash.
