Serious crash in Chelsea after police pursuit

CHELSEA, Mass. (WHDH) -- A police pursuit led to a serious accident in Chelsea Friday morning.

The pursuit came to an end on the Carter Street off ramp off of Route 1 in Chelsea where officers say the suspect caused a three-car crash that flipped a pickup truck.

Police say the pursuit started with a routine traffic stop at the Square One Mall in Saugus. The suspect, a 43-year-old man driving a black Ford Mustang, reportedly failed to stop and took off down Route 1 South.

"At one point, the suspect vehicle hit something that caused his tire to blow out, so at that point the speed wasn't very fast at all and we believe that may have led him to lose control as he hit the other car," an official said.

The driver of the pickup, Jim Squires, was unhurt. A firefighter from Hampton, New Hampshire, Squires said he knew how serious things were because of his line of work.

“I don’t even really recall exactly what the specifics were,” he said. “I mean, I just remember being rear-ended and -- just the after effects of the efforts that were put in were just fabulous.”

Squires’ dog, Timber, went missing after the crash but was quickly found.

Two people -- the suspect driving the Mustang and the driver of a third car sideswiped in the accident -- were reportedly taken to the hospital following the crash.

Officials said it would take a while to clear the ramp of debris.

The suspect has an outstanding warrant of assault and battery and larceny against him. He also faces motor vehicle charges.