A male driver was taken to a local hospital late Saturday after what witnesses say was a spectacular, multi-vehicle police chase through downtown Tamaqua leading to a crash at the 200 block of West Broad Street, Route 209.

According to those at the scene, police in multiple units were attempting to intercept a gray Mazda traveling west on West Broad Street about 10 p.m. According to witnesses, the car was being driven extremely erratically.

"He was driving on the sidewalk down there by Reigel's (Plumbing)," said Brett Sell, who witnessed the first part of the chase.

"I was on the corner by the nail salon," he said.

Sell said the driver appeared to want to turn onto Hunter Street to possibly avoid police but changed his mind and proceeded west on Broad.

Another witness, Karrie Sell of 248 W. Broad St., said the car was being chased westbound for a few blocks when it made a turnabout at W. Broad and Lehigh streets and began heading the opposite direction, returning to where it just passed.

Sell was walking down the front steps at her house when she witnessed the car go out of control near the traffic light at W. Broad and Swatara streets. She said the driver appeared to have gunned it near the intersection and lost control.

"He screeched, then hit the tree and when he hit the curb the car started spinning. It spun around a couple of times," said Karrie Sell.

Other neighbors, including Dennis and Susie Serfass, 248A W. Broad, were startled by the loud noise and rushed outdoors to see what was happening.

The car hit a traffic sign before hitting the tree, ultimately coming to rest on the sidewalk near the entrance to Charles X. Block men's wear store, 251 W. Broad.

When the car spun, said witnesses, debris flew in all directions and some of the car's contents were ejected onto the sidewalk, including clothing and a case of Corona beer.

Debris was scattered along Broad Street and the roadway was closed in both directions for more than an hour.

A tall, ornamental pear tree, installed as part of the 2006 Downtown Tamaqua streetscape program, was hit with such force the bark was torn away, the tree dislodged, and is now leaning in an easterly direction.

Those at the scene said the driver seemed to be unconscious and unresponsive when police approached the vehicle and was still that way when paramedics placed him into an ambulance.

Some suggested the driver may have been avoiding a nearby sobriety checkpoint.

Police from Rush Township assisted at the scene, in addition to Lehighton and Tamaqua ambulance personnel and Tamaqua fire police.

The car was severely damaged and was hauled from the scene by Hope's Collision and Towing, Tamaqua.

More information as it becomes available.