quote: Originally Posted by Nashua Telegraph
Chase ends with car hitting SUVs

By ASHLEY SMITH, Telegraph Staff
smitha@telegraph-nh.com

Published: Sunday, Sep. 4, 2005

As rescue workers tend to a passenger, a firefighter checks a car for leaking fluids at the scene of a crash on Amherst Street in Nashua on Saturday. The driver of the car, Patrick Smith, 27, of 10 Brook St., in Nashua, fled after being stopped by police. Smith led police on a short chase before his car crashed into an SUV. The first crash sent his car out of control and into another SUV.

NASHUA – A city man is in jail after leading police on a brief car chase Saturday that ended when he crashed into two other vehicles.

Patrick Smith, 27, of 10 Brook St., was traveling east on Amherst Street at around 3:50 p.m. when an officer attempted to stop his vehicle. Police did not release the officer’s name.

Smith initially pulled over, but he sped off when the officer exited his cruiser, said Sgt. Andrew Lavoie. Smith was wanted on two outstanding warrants, but details about those were not immediately available Saturday. “He knew he was wanted and that’s why he took off,” Lavoie said.

Smith continued on Amherst Street toward Merrimack for a short time before causing the crashes, Lavoie said.

“He was fleeing, and as he entered the intersection of Northwest Boulevard he was running a red light,” Lavoie said. “He struck an SUV that was turning from Northwest Boulevard to Amherst Street.”

That crash sent Smith’s car out of control and caused it to spin around and jump the median, where it crashed head-on into a second SUV, police said.

No one was seriously injured in either accident. Smith was treated for a minor cut to his face.

Smith had a female passenger in his car at the time, who suffered minor injuries. Police did not release her name but said she was not taken into custody.

Smith is currently being held by Nashua police. He is charged with disobeying a police officer, reckless driving and operating after suspension, second offense. He also faces charges on the two outstanding warrants.

Information on the amount of his bail or when he will appear in court was not available Saturday night. Sgt. Leonard Kulikowski is handling the investigation.