A Schuylkill County man died Saturday afternoon in a vehicle crash after he fled from a traffic stop and was pursued by police along Route 61 in North Manheim Township.
According to information released by State Police-Schuylkill Haven, the crash happened on Route 61 near Seven Stars Rd.
Police say they attempted a traffic stop on a 2017 red Kia Rio. During the traffic stop, the driver – identified as 43-year-old Matthew Williams, of Frackville – fled in his vehicle and traveled south on the highway.
Pursuit was given by police for about a quarter-mile as Williams approached the intersection of Route 61 and the entrance to Cressona Mall.
Williams was in the right turning lane when he rear-ended a black SUV, leading to a multi-vehicle crash. Police say Williams’ vehicle came to final rest in the northbound lanes of Route 61.
Williams died at the scene as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash, police say. Several occupants of other vehicles involved were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries.
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