BETHLEHEM — A 20-year-old Springfield, Massachusetts, man was arrested Monday after leading police on a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed into a wooded area and fled on foot.
David S. Koneh was charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment, aggravated unlicensed operator and several other offenses following the pursuit that began at 2:47 p.m.
A Bethlehem Police Department officer initially stopped Koneh’s 2010 BMW near 250 State Route 9W for having a suspended registration due to no insurance.
Koneh waited until the officer exited the patrol car, then fled at a high rate of speed northbound on State Route 9W.
The chase continued down Corning Hill Road and onto River Road toward Albany.
Koneh’s vehicle nearly struck a road crew flagger working in Albany and crashed into a vehicle stopped in traffic due to roadwork on South Pearl Street.
The fleeing vehicle left the crash scene and continued northbound until it crashed into a wooded area near the Albany County Rail Trail.
Koneh fled on foot onto the rail trail, where the pursuing officer caught him and took him into custody.
Koneh was charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle 3rd degree, reckless endangerment 2nd degree, aggravated unlicensed operator 3rd degree, reckless driving, operating with a suspended registration, operating without insurance, operating by an unlicensed operator, uninspected motor vehicle and failure to keep right.
He was arraigned in Bethlehem Town Court by Judge Erin Lynch and released under supervision of the Albany County Probation Department.
Koneh is scheduled to return to court Aug. 19 at 4 p.m.
The Albany County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Police and Albany Fire Department assisted with the incident.
