A driver was killed Friday after a vehicle being pursued by New York State Police crashed and caught fire on Lake Avenue in Rochester.
According to State Police, members of the Community Stabilization Unit attempted to stop a 2009 Ford Fusion for traffic violations near Hudson Avenue and Avenue D at approximately 10:14 a.m. on May 29. The driver failed to stop, leading troopers on a pursuit through city streets.
About six minutes later, investigators deployed a tire deflation device at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Seneca Parkway. State Police said the Ford Fusion continued southbound on Lake Avenue before sideswiping a 2011 GMC Acadia that was changing lanes.
The Ford then lost control, crossed into the northbound lanes, and collided head-on with a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Following the crash, the Ford Fusion became engulfed in flames. Troopers attempted to rescue the driver and used fire extinguishers in an effort to suppress the fire, but were unable to reach the operator because of the intensity of the flames, according to police.
The driver of the Ford Fusion was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said investigators are working to positively identify the deceased and notify next of kin.
The driver of the GMC Acadia was evaluated by emergency medical personnel and reported no injuries.
The driver and a rear-seat passenger in the Jeep Grand Cherokee sustained non-life-threatening injuries. A front-seat passenger was transported for treatment of a serious injury and was reported to be in stable condition.
The investigation involved the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Forensic Identification Unit and Collision Reconstruction Unit. Representatives from the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office also responded to the scene.
A postmortem examination is scheduled through the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The crash remains under investigation by State Police and the Attorney General’s Office,.
