Albany (WSYR-TV) – State Police have identified a man they believe stole a car in Canastota and then died in a crash following a high-speed chase on I-90.
According to police Ricardo Bernabeu Jr., 25, of Northview Terrace in Rochester, was driving a Lexus stolen in a Rochester when he abandoned it at a Savon Gas Station on North Perterborough Street in Canastota. He then stole a Hyundai in front of the store.
Canastota Police told State Police to be on the lookout for a Hyundai Elantra and troopers near the Fultonville exit saw the vehicle. When they attempted to stop the vehicle, police say Bernabeu took off, leading them on a high-speed chase before crashing at an Albany exit.
Driver killed after high speed chase on Thruway
Feb. 6, 2012
Albany (WSYR-TV/AP) – The driver of a car reported stolen in Canastota died when the vehicle struck a tree near Albany early Monday morning, according to State Police.
State Police said they spotted the reportedly stolen car on the Thruway near Fonda just before 5 a.m. The unidentified driver drove east at speeds topping 100 miles per hour before he crashed near Exit 23 about 20 minutes later.
Police believe the driver was trying to exit the highway when he crashed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
