A 19-year-old suspected car thief plunged to his death while attempting to flee from the police on the George Washington Bridge early Wednesday morning.
According to authorities, the incident began around 12:45 a.m. when a Port Authority Police Department officer spotted a stolen vehicle driving towards New Jersey on the upper level of the bridge. The officer attempted to pull over the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop and sped away.
The high-speed chase continued across the bridge until the suspect lost control of the stolen car and crashed into a barrier near 179th Street in the Bronx. The impact caused the suspect to be ejected from the vehicle and fall approximately 212 feet to his death.
Emergency services responded to the scene and pronounced the suspect dead. His identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The incident caused major delays on both sides of the George Washington Bridge, with traffic backed up for miles as authorities investigated and cleared the scene.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers involved in car theft and high-speed pursuits. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 750 people are killed every year in police pursuits, with bystanders and innocent drivers often being the victims.
Reference: Newsbreak New York News
