Cops: Driver went 140 mph during pursuit

A driver and his passenger, both from Glen Cove, were arrested Sunday after a pursuit that, police said, reached "in excess" of 140 mph.

The incident occurred on the Wantagh Parkway, Ocean Parkway and northbound Meadowbrook Parkway and began at about 11:30 a.m., state police said.

It ended after Jason Denobrega, 23, crashed his Mazda RX-7 into the back of another car as he attempted a U-turn on Merrick Road in Merrick in an attempt to elude the state troopers pursuing him, police said.

Denobrega was charged with third-degree fleeing a police officer in a vehicle, second-degree reckless endangerment and several violations, including speeding -- for driving 140 mph in a 55 mph zone, police said. Denobrega was held for arraignment in First District Court in Nassau.

His passenger, Jacob Bloom, 21, was charged with second-degree criminal nuisance. A police spokesman said he could not immediately explain the charge.

Denobrega was held for arraignment in First District Court in Nassau.

Police said troopers responding to a call reporting "cars racing" on Wantagh State Parkway near Ocean Parkway saw the gray Mazda driven by Denobrega "traveling at a high rate of speed" on the westbound Ocean Parkway around the Jones Beach traffic circle and attempted to make a traffic stop.

The Mazda sped off, Trooper Frank Bandiero said -- and the troopers followed.

On the northbound Meadowbrook, Bandiero said speeds reached in excess of 140 mph.

The Mazda exited the parkway at Merrick Road and, police said, Denobrega attempted to make a U-turn -- but struck the back of another car. There were no injuries.

"He could have killed somebody," Bandiero said.