Fugitive Nabbed After High-Speed Chase Ends In Major, Fiery Accident In South Jersey: Police

VOORHEES TOWNSHIP, NJ — A fugitive was captured following a police chase that began in Voorhees, ended in Evesham and reportedly included a car explosion on Sunday.

James C. Fitzpatrick Jr., 46, of Beverly, was charged with eluding, resisting by flight, obstruction, providing false information and numerous traffic violations, Voorhees Police announced Monday morning.

The chase began around 12:27 p.m. at Route 73 and Kresson Road when Fitzpatrick refused to stop when a Voorhees Police officer attempted to pull him over, police said.

Instead, police say Fitzpatrick got onto the shoulder of Route 73 and sped up.

During the chase, Fitzpatrick ran a red light at the intersection of Route 73 and Evesham Road in Evesham Township, and when he attempted to merge with traffic again, he hit other cars, police said.

At least seven cars were involved in the accident, with one igniting in flames, according to the Burlington County Times.

There were minor injuries to passengers as a result of the crash, police said. Two people were taken to the hospital for evaluation and later released.

Ultimately, Fitzpatrick’s car flipped over, and he attempted to run away. Officer Mark Paranto, who attempted to make the stop, arrived on the scene and was able to chase Fitzpatrick down.

Fitzpatrick was arrested without incident and taken to the Voorhees Police Department. While there, he gave police false identifying information and was found to be driving on a suspended license. He was also found to have numerous warrants for eluding law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions during high- speed pursuits over the past three weeks.

He was charged and remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail.

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