Suspect leads police on chase up I-93 North

MEDFORD, Mass. (WHDH) -- A suspect accused of car theft led police on a chase through Interstate 93 rush hour traffic  before crashing into the median on Wednesday, according to police.

Flashing lights were just about all commuter Paul Miller says he noticed in his rear view mirror when he tried to pull over, and took out the suspect being chased.

“I didn’t know where the contact was but I’m assuming it started up here…I slam on the breaks, and he went around front and lost control,” Miller said.

Michael Bennett, 31, crashed into the median, wrecking a station wagon police say he stole.

Police had been looking for the car in connection with car break-ins in Medford.

Investigators say officers spotted the car and were able to stop Bennett on the street, but then he took off. His girlfriend jumped out of the car when Bennett stopped for a minute before he got on the highway heading north.

Four or five Medford cruisers were in pursuit through crowded rush hour traffic when Bennett got clipped, and crashed.

“I didn’t know that the car that I clipped at the time was the car that they were chasing,” said Miller. “I didn’t know what it was all about. I still don’t know what it’s all about.”

One other car was sideswiped when the highway chase came to a crashing end.

Police say with a chase and a crash on busy I-93 during rush hour it's lucky no one was hurt.

Bennett faces nine charges including failure to stop for police and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He will be arraigned on Thursday.

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