Mustang Crashes And Bursts Into Flames During Pursuit: State Police

SPRINGFIELD, MA — A man is recovering in a Springfield hospital under police guard after he fled from authorities and crashed his Mustang early Tuesday morning, rescued from his burning vehicle by State Troopers.

State police around 2:40 a.m. Tuesday spotted a Ford Mustang whose driver was wanted by Springfield Police for warrants and motor vehicle violations. Troopers spotted the suspect vehicle on Route 91 northbound in West Springfield and attempted to stop it, but the suspect fled at a high rate of speed, said police.

The driver refused to pull over after several minutes and continued toward Northampton, where other troopers were able to place a Stinger tire deflation device ahead of the fleeing vehicle. The Mustang’s right side tires struck the Stinger on Route 91 where it crosses over the Connecticut River Oxbow.

Police got construction workers up ahead off the roadway, and the suspect vehicle continued on damaged tires for a brief period, crashing into a construction sign at the roadway project, and then into a contractor's truck parked at the median.

The Mustang burst into flames and the suspect was trapped inside, police said. Troopers rushed to the burning Mustang and pulled the suspect, Darryl Whitaker, 54, Chicopee, out of the car. He was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

A nearby road contractor suffered minor injuries. Also, a road construction sign that the suspect struck went airborne and landed on the windshield of one of the pursuing cruisers, said police.

Whitaker will be charged with several outstanding warrants and motor vehicle offenses related to his failure to stop for police. The contractor, a 41-year-old Gill man, was transported to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton with injuries believed to be minor, said police.

The trooper whose cruiser was struck by the construction sign was not injured; the cruiser sustained significant damage.

Route 91 northbound was closed at Exit 18 to facilitate the emergency response and crash investigation. The road was reopened shortly before 6 a.m.

Photos via State Police