A high-speed chase that began on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, ended in a crash in Tamaqua, resulting in the arrest of the driver from Luzerne County.

The chase began when a trooper from the Pocono barracks began pursuit of a speeding Volkswagen Passat north on the turnpike.

The car exited the turnpike at the Lehigh Valley interchange, then went onto Route 22 West. The chase then went north on Route 100 to Claussville Road where the car struck an object, blowing out the two right tires.

At that point two passengers jumped from the car and fled. The Pocono trooper took the two passengers into custody and ended the pursuit.

The driver of the car then fled north again on Route 100 to Route 309 north. The driver, trying to avoid police, turned onto River Road in Tamaqua where he lost control, crashing into a fence and shrubs.

Tamaqua police took the driver into custody after learning he was wanted by state police. The driver was identified as Mason Hill, 18, of Schickshinny.

He was turned over to troopers and transported back to Lehigh County where he was processed. He has been charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of a small amount of marijuana and various motor vehicle code violations.