NEW GARDEN — Three people are dead after Pennsylvania State Police chased a vehicle for more than three miles from Avondale Borough into New Garden an hour after midnight Friday.
“It is a tragedy,” said Mayor Susan Rzucidlo of Avondale. “Lives were lost. We send our condolences to the families. It is heartbreaking.”
The fleeing vehicle, with one driver and two passengers, crashed into a barren tree just past Sunny Dell Road on Route 41. Police said all three people died. No police officers were hurt.
The crash took place less than two miles from the Delaware state line in New Castle near Hockessin.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, at approximately 1:21 a.m. troopers from the Troop J, the Avondale station in London Grove Township, attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle. Police said troopers had observed a vehicle making multiple traffic violations around E. 3rd Street Garner Drive. This neighborhood is in Avondale Borough.
Police said when the vehicle failed to stop, a pursuit ensued. The chase proceeded through the borough, turning southbound on Route 41, also known as Pennsylvania Avenue in Avondale, over train tracks where Old Baltimore Pike meets Route 41, and further southbound on Route 41 into New Garden Township.
After approximately 3.3 miles in pursuit, the police witnessed the fleeing vehicle fatally crash into a tree, according to local officials.
State police said Troop J Major Case Team was activated and is investigating.
It was unclear as of press time if investigators had identified the occupants of the fatal chase and notified their families.
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