High-speed pursuit of wanted suspect on Parkway West ends in dangerous crash in downtown
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A wanted man led police on a chase on the Parkway West before coming to a dangerous stop in downtown Pittsburgh.
The conclusion to the chase happened right outside of the KDKA studios in Gateway Center.
During the chase, he was speeding down the ramp, took the corner too hard and hopped the curb, nearly hitting a fire hydrant. That's where the car came to a stop on Fort Duquesne Boulevard.
Pennsylvania State Police said 43-year-old Lee Chavez of Aliquippa was speeding when the chase began after initially attempting to pull him over.
He took off trying to get away from police and that sparked the chase – which ended on Fort Duquesne Boulevard, right behind the Black Music Festival.
After the crash, he tried to run into the parking garage underneath Gateway Center and police were able to obtain him after discharging a taser.
"All of a sudden, I heard a bang, and at that point, I got up from my desk and I went to the window and I saw an officer running down the pathway on the freeway," said Lisa, a witness who called 911. "I heard him yelling 'stop, stop, stop!' I looked out, I couldn't see who was chasing because it was on the other side of the wall, then I knew he was coming toward Gateway Towers. I called downstairs, I called 911 first, and I alert them that an officer needed assistance."
State police said Chavez had prior charges like aggravated assault and several active arrest warrants.
