CHEVY CHASE, Md. (WUSA) -- Two people are dead and two more are injured after a fiery crash on Connecticut Avenue early Friday morning.
Captain Paul Starks, spokesman for the Montgomery County Police Department, says an officer spotted a suspicious vehicle with four occupants inside on East West Highway at Jones Mill Road around 1:00 a.m. When the officer ran the plates he discovered the vehicle had been stolen two weeks ago. That's when he called for assistance from additional officers. An attempt was made to pull the vehicle over in the 7400 block of Connecticut Avenue, but the driver took off with officers in pursuit.
The chase came to an abrupt end when the sedan lost control and struck a tree on Connecticut Avenue at Chevy Chase Circle.
Officers at the scene saw smoke, then fire erupt from the wreckage. Two officers attempted to extinguish the blaze and were able to pull the driver and front seat passenger from the burning car. The two back seat passengers perished in the flames.
According to Captain Starks, the driver is in serious condition undergoing surgery. The front seat passenger is well enough to speak to investigators. All occupants of the vehicle appear to be in their late teens or early 20's.
Southbound Connecticut Avenue was shut down at Chevy Chase Circle while police conducted their investigation. Police reopened the roadway around 6:45 a.m.
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