Driver critically injured after crash during police pursuit

MERRIMACK - A man was seriously injured following a crash during a police pursuit on the F.E. Everett Turnpike early Friday.

The incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m. on Friday when a State Trooper driving southbound on the F.E. Everett Turnpike in Bedford spotted a 2018 Infiniti Q50 passing him at more than 140 mph. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued, according to a state police release.

The driver continued southbound on the turnpike until ultimately traveling off the right side of the roadway where the vehicle crashed.

As a result of the crash, the driver became trapped inside the vehicle, which started to catch fire. Troopers and responding officers from the Merrimack Police Department used fire extinguishers to control the fire while attempting to get the driver out.

Subsequently, members of Merrimack Fire Rescue were able to put out the fire completely and free the driver from the heavily damaged vehicle.

The subject, who was not identified, was taken by medical helicopter to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston with serious injuries.

The incident remains under investigation.