BRIGHTON (WWJ) A police pursuit ended with a fatal crash in Brighton, police said.
Brighton Police said the chase began on West Grand River on Tuesday, July 15, around 10:45 p.m. when their officers attempted to stop the driver of a black Dodge Charger "operating recklessly."
Authorities said the officer activated the overhead lights and siren, but the suspect failed to stop. A pursuit was initiated. The vehicle fled along W. Grand River to Beaver Street, to N. East Street, then Flint Road, Hilton Road-- and eventually turned onto Old US-23.
According to police; the suspect drove into the northbound lanes on Old US-23 while trying to pass a southbound vehicle. While the suspect vehicle tried to merge back into the correct lane, it sideswiped the southbound vehicle and caused it to spin. During the spin, the suspect vehicle struck an oncoming vehicle and rolled over.
The driver, and sole occupant of the suspect vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the sideswiped vehicle was not hurt. The driver of the northbound vehicle sustained "minor injuries" and was taken to the hospital "as a precaution," police said.
The deceased's identity was not released.
The Livingston County Accident Reconstruction Team investigated at the scene. Their preliminary investigation suggests that high speed contributed to the crash. All drivers involved were wearing their seatbelts.
Investigators are trying to determine if drugs or alcohol use by the deceased is a potential factor.
"This is a tragic incident," Brighton Police Chief Brent Pirochta said in a statement. "As law enforcement officers, we never want to see a life lost."