15-Year-Old Pursued In Lexus Causes I-95 Chain Reaction Crash: NYSP

RYE, NY — A teen behind the wheel of a car with swapped out plates led police on a wild chase across several jurisdictions, sending more than a dozen to the hospital in the process, according to state troopers.

New York State Police say that on Monday, around 2:16 a.m., troopers from New Rochelle received a Be On The Lookout (BOLO) alert from Westchester County police about an erratic vehicle that had fled from the NYPD's 45th Precinct and was believed to be traveling north on I-95.

State police staged near Exit 17 (Chatsworth Ave. in Larchmont) and saw two vehicles traveling at high speed. After initiating a pursuit, troopers lost sight of the first vehicle, but continued after the second vehicle. State police say that the three-minute pursuit covered five miles, and reached speeds up to 130 m.p.h.

During the chase, a City of Rye Police Department officer entered I-95 to assist and attempted to slow traffic down north of Exit 19 (Rye Playland), ahead of the pursuit. A chain-reaction crash then took place, involving the fleeing vehicle and three other uninvolved vehicles. State police say that troopers were not involved in the crash.

The fleeing vehicle, a 2002 Lexus GS300 with switched Connecticut license plates, struck the three other vehicles as it approached slowed traffic.

The driver of the stolen vehicle, a 15-year-old male, and four juvenile passengers were taken for evaluation of neck and back pain.

There were eleven people in the three other cars that were involved in the chain reaction crash.

A 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, driven by Selenge Gankhuyag, had one additional passenger. Both were taken to Westchester Medical Center.

A 2022 BMW X5, driven by Sael M. Fernandez, had three passengers, including a minor. All were taken to White Plains Hospital by Harrison EMS.

A 2023 Toyota RAV4, driven by Sirajul Islam, had four passengers, including three minors. All were taken to Westchester Medical Center.

State police say that all 16 people involved in the crash were evaluated and later released from the hospitals.

The 15-year-old driver was charged with 15 counts of third-degree assault, three counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, and second-degree reckless endangerment.

Parents of all the juveniles were notified and went to the hospitals.

NYSP say that the investigation is ongoing.