MIDDLETOWN – City Police in Middletown said the 35-year-old man killed when he fled from police at high speed early Thursday morning apparently lost control of his car and struck a utility pole and a concrete porch in front of 8 Sterling Street.
The driver, who was alone in the car, was trapped in the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 1 a.m. His name was not immediately released.
The incident began when a Middletown police officer observed the car commit a traffic infraction near Cottage Street and Railroad Avenue. The officer attempted to turn his marked patrol car around and stop the violator, but he quickly accelerated away on Cottage Street. With the police officer in pursuit with his lights and siren on, the victim sped through city streets until he wound up on Sterling where he lost control and crashed.
The unoccupied residence sustained substantial structural damage.
Police said it does not appear that the driver was wearing a seatbelt.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and State Police are assisting in the investigation.
Any witnesses to the incident are asked to call either Middletown City Police at 845-343-3151 or State Police at 845-344-5400.
