Man who died in crash fleeing police was on 3 tires after going over spike strip

Sean York, in photo from about 5 years ago. (Rochester Police photo)

MILTON - The man who led Milton police on a chase onto Route 16 on Sunday night and died when his car crashed and burst into flame was driving on three tires after one was damaged going over a tire-deflating device laid down by State Police on Townhouse Road, Milton's Police chief said today.

Milton Police were waiting for the man on Townhouse Road around 8 p.m. after they learned from Rochester Police that information had been developed that the man was at a relative's house inside Pineland Park.

Milton Police Chief Richard Krauss said that the man, Sean York, 28, of Rochester sped up and went over the spike mat device and continued on at a high rate of speed north on White Mountain Highway and then south onto Route 16 at the Milton Mill exit.

Krauss said two Milton and two Farmington cruisers kept a gap between themselves and York's car, a stolen a 2016 Chrysler 200.

There was visible tire damage to the driver's side rear tire after York went over the device, Krauss said.

He said while on Route 16 south police were giving York a gap and had notified Rochester Police he was heading south prior to the crash.

About a mile north of Exit 17 York lost control of the vehicle, which then slid across Route 16, left the roadway, rolled over and caught on fire.

York suffered life-threatening injuries and died at the scene. There were no other occupants in his vehicle and no other vehicles involved in the crash.

Krauss said York had two warrants on him out of New Mexico on weapons charges and a warrant out of Rockingham County here in New Hampshire, the nature of which he was unsure.

Route 16 northbound and southbound was closed for several hours while the crash was investigated.

Krauss lamented the loss of life saying the incident was "an unfortunate end to a situation."

Assisting on scene were members of the Milton Police Department, Farmington Police Department, NH State Police Troop A Barracks, NH Fire Marshal's Office, Milton Fire and Rescue and New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

Anyone that may have further information related to the crash is asked to contact Trooper First Class Thomas Conlon at (603) 223-8614 or email at thomas.conlon@dos.nh.gov.