Driver Abandons Minivan After Newark Police Pursuit
ELIZABETH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A driver suspected of drunken driving is on the loose in Elizabeth, N.J., after police said the suspect struck three pedestrians outside a bar, smashed into several parked cars and abandoned his car.
Witnesses said the incident started outside Nugent's Bar on Newark Avenue in Elizabeth where an unknown man got into a dark blue minivan and took off.
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"Guy jumped in the car, started swerving around, hit 2 people. Then when I came back, I ain't seen him hit the third people, but I seen 3 people on the ground," John, a witness, said.
Cops said that's when the pursuit started. During the chase, one of the patrol cars hopped a curb and slammed head on into a cast iron fence, trapping the officers inside the car. The officers were removed with serious injuries, but they are not believed to be life-threatening.
Police said the suspect continued onto Meeker Avenue in Newark where the van struck several parked cars. The minivan eventually lost control and the front right tire dislodged from the vehicle. That's when police said the suspect took off running.
Mike was sound asleep when he was awakened by all the commotion outside.
"No screeching, just a loud boom so I did come out and take a look," he said.
