Search On For Man Who Fled From Cops, Crashed Car: Police

RIVERSIDE, NY — The search is on for a driver who fled authorities after a traffic stop and crashed the car, police said.

According to Riverhead Town Police, two officers initiated a traffic stop at the Riverside traffic circle on Monday at 7:55 p.m.

While interviewing the driver, a person known to the officer, "the suspect put his 2014 Ford Fusion. . .into gear," police said.

One officer tried to stop the driver by reaching into the vehicle to remove the keys; however, the driver fled south on Route 24, police said.

The car was found a short time later, on the corner of Brown Street and Old Quogue Road, abandoned and crashed into a residential fence, police said.

A New York State Police K-9 unit responded to assist, trying to locate the car's operator, who fled on foot, police said.

Suffolk County Aviation also assisted, police said.

The vehicle was impounded, police said.

The suspect faces charges including unlawful fleeing of a police officer, second degree reckless endangerment, and numerous vehicle and traffic summonses, police said.

No injuries to officers were reported, police said.