FOX44NOW.COM - Burlington/Plattsburgh News, Weather and SportsHigh Speed Chase On I-89 Ends In Crash

High Speed Chase On I-89 Ends In Crash

Vermont State Police say a high-speed chase ended in a man hunt Friday night.  Police say Brendan Houston, 19, of Montpelier, led police southbound on Interstate 89 from St. Albans, Vt. to near Waterbury, Vt. at speeds around 90 mph without his headlights on. 

Police say the chase started when they tried to stop a car that had reportedly been involved in stealing gas and alcohol from a convenience store near St. Albans.  Houston was driving a 1982 Mercedes that was reported stolen earlier in the evening from Main Street in Montpelier, Vt., according to police. 

As the chase continued down the Interstate, police set up tire deflation devices near exit 10 in Waterbury.  Police say it deflated all of his tires, but he managed to keep going another mile on the Interstate before crossing the grassy median and traveling an additional quarter mile south in the northbound lane before colliding head on with another car.  Both cars were totaled and the accident closed down the interstate for about two hours.

Police say the chase still wasn't over because the driver ran away into the woods.  Police with a K-9 followed him several miles and he wasn't caught until an hour and a half later.  Around that time, a helicopter from US Border Patrol showed up to help lead them out of the woods. 

Houston was charged with two counts of retail theft out of Franklin County for the theft of the alcohol and gas. Houston was charged in Washington County for Aggravated Operation of a Vehicle Without The Owner's Consent, Attempting to Elude, Gross Negligent Operation, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and being a person under the age of 21 years old with a blood alcohol content over .02%. Houston's blood alcohol content approximately four hours after the collision was approximately .03%. Houston is scheduled to appear in Washington District Court on Monday, April 26 at 12:30 pm.

The second vehicle involved which collided head on with the Mercedes was being driven by a woman with two young children. She was taken to the Central Vermont Hospital for a leg injury. Police say the children did not appear to have any significant injuries.

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