A 41-year-old man allegedly led the NYPD on a three mile car chase Wednesday, colliding with several parked vehicles in Washington Heights and Morningside Heights in a stolen minivan before ultimately crashing into an elevated subway support column and coming to a stop.
Lee Caspari got behind the wheel of the 2008 Toyota minivan, which was left idling with the keys in the ignition by its owner outside 2408 Amsterdam Avenue, just after 10 a.m. yesterday, according to an NYPD spokesperson. Two hours later, an NYPD squad car was flagged down by a passer-by who reported the minivan recklessly speeding north on Broadway. Officers spotted Caspari and pursued him while he allegedly hit multiple parked cars along the street.
The chase ended when Caspari crashed into the subway support column at the corner of La Salle Street and Broadway in Morningside Heights. The NY Post reports that Caspari struck a pedestrian during the chase and collided with a parked MTA bus before coming to a stop, but a police spokesperson could not confirm those details.
Caspari sustained minor injuries from the crash, and two NYPD officers cut their hands on glass while responding to the final crash. They were taken to St. Luke's hospital in stable condition.
Caspari has been charged with four felonies, including grand larceny auto, reckless endangerment, obstruction of governmental administration, and criminal possession of stolen property. He has also been charged with resisting arrest, fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle, and reckless driving.
