A driver fleeing police hit a pedestrian before crashing into a utility pole and running away from the scene, police in New Jersey said.
The man was taken into custody a short time later. The teen pedestrian was taken to an area hospital, and is in stable condition.
The police chase started around 2:30 p.m. on Friday in North Plainfield, where officers on patrol spotted a stolen vehicle.
Police pursued the car for an unknown amount of time as the driver sped away. As he was taking a turn on Washington Avenue, he lost control of the vehicle, jumped a curb and struck a parked car and then the pedestrian, police said. Three people were in the parked car but were uninjured.
The car’s bumper flew off and the driver continued down the street, eventually crashing into the utility pole, according to police.
After crashing into the pole, the man ran from the scene but was taken into custody a short time later, police said.
A team from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office was at the scene Friday evening. A portion of Washington Avenue was closed in both directions as the investigation continued.
