Jersey City police chase ends with fiery crash

JERSEY CITY —  A police pursuit turned violent after shots were fired and a bystander was severely injured on Sunday night.

Raymond Worrall, spokesman for the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office said police tried to stop a car being driven by Leo C. Pinkston, 48, of Jersey City in the area of Ocean and Cator Avenues after 11 p.m.

Pinkston was involved in a crash as he fled police driving between two lanes of traffic, Worrall said. Police fired multiple shots as the pursuit continued on Tonnelle Ave, where Pinkston crashed into a utility pole and his car burst into flames.

A male driving on Tonnelle Ave was also injured in the second crash which took place in front of the Econo Lodge hotel.

A witness told NJ.com numerous shots were fired and said it was "like a scene from a movie."

The  bystander was hospitalized for serious burns at the Burn Center at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. Pinkston was charged with eluding and aggravated assault,

NBC 4 New York reported in a tweet at least three police vehicles were towed from the scene several hours after the pursuit.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office is investigating the incident. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the innocent victim and his family. We will utilize all resources available to the Prosecutor’s Office for a full and thorough investigation as we seek to bring this matter to a rightful conclusion," Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

Worrell asked anyone with information about the incident to call the Prosecutor's Office at 201-915-1345.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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