Passenger in car fleeing police killed in accident

HOLLYWOOD, Md. | Maryland State police say a passenger in a truck driven by a man who fled from troopers in Hollywood was killed when the truck hit two trees.

Thirty-three-year-old Francis X. Chase Jr. of Hollywood was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The driver of the truck, 39-year-old Tyrone D. Butler of California, Md., was taken to Prince George’s County Shock Trauma with non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities say a trooper stopped Butler Friday about 1:30 p.m. Butler drove away onto Route 235, and was followed by police.

Troopers say after Butler drove about two and a half miles, he abruptly turned onto Vista Road, then into a private driveway, crashing into two trees.

No charges have been filed, but state police are consulting with the St. Mary’s County state’s attorney.