Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - A Hamburg man is facing a manslaughter charge after police say he struck and killed a pedestrian during a high-speed pursuit that began in Hamburg and ended in North Tonawanda.
City of Tonawanda Police says Hamburg Police had been pursuing a white van when officers ended that pursuit at the Skyway at the Buffalo city line. There had been a hit-and-run in the Town of Evans, leading to the initial pursuit. Police also believe the van was involved in a crash on Church Street in Buffalo.
Tonawanda police say as the vehicle was traveling on Delaware Street at a very high rate of speed, a pedestrian was crossing the street, and the suspect vehicle struck the pedestrian. Then driver then rear-ended another vehicle at the intersection of Delaware and Broad.
City of Tonawanda Police adds the driver of the struck vehicle pulled to the side of the road, got out of the vehicle to exchange information and to ask what happened. At that point, the operator of the suspect vehicle jumped in the victim's vehicle, stealing his vehicle and going over the bridge into North Tonawanda. There, he was then involved in another car accident, which turned into another potential carjacking, and the suspect was taken into custody shortly thereafter.
The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Mark Whalen. He is charged with manslaughter, grand larceny, reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and various vehicle and traffic violations.
The pedestrian who was struck and killed has not been identified.