Alleged Drunk Driver Goes Airborne, Crashes After Leading Police On High-Speed Chase In Suffolk County

FARMINGVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- An alleged drunk driver who led police on a high-speed chase early Wednesday morning was sent to the hospital after his vehicle crashed into a pole in Suffolk County.

Police say they tried to pull over a stolen 1999 Ford minivan on William Floyd Parkway in Shirley at around 12:21 a.m., after noticing the driver had no lights on and was apparently driving while intoxicated.

According to police, the vehicle fled the scene, prompting a chase along Horseblock Road towards Route 112.

Suffolk Police initially gave chase but said they gave up the pursuit when the suspect's high-speed put others at risk.

"Once the pursuit was terminated, officers from the 7th Precinct monitored the vehicle from a distance to ensure safety. The vehicle continued to operate at a high rate of speed," Suffolk County Police Chief Stuart Cameron said.

At around 12:31 a.m., police discovered the vehicle had hit a utility pole, a tree and some mailboxes before overturning at the corner of Horseblock Road and Liber Boulevard in Farmingville -- roughly 14 miles away from where the suspect was flagged for the traffic stop.

CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported the suspected drunk driver flipped the minivan and went airborne across four front yards.

"Woke us right up out of our sleep," Farmingville resident Melissa Boer said. "Just a huge huge noise -- sounded like a bomb went off."

"Guy stole the car, hit the mailbox, hit this, kept going, hit that, just a lot of damage," Farmingville homeowner John Graebe said as he was snapping photos for his insurance company.

Emergency responders had to use hydraulic tools to extricate the man from his vehicle after he was pinned inside during the crash.

"I ran to the windows, but I didn't understand because the cops were here already, so I didn't know if he was being followed," Kathy Metz said.

The driver was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with non-life-threatening injures, police said.

The suspect has not yet been identified by police.

The suspect has been charged with DWI, reckless endangerment and criminal impersonation. Police said he gave a false name when arrested.

He will be arraigned in his hospital bed.