Cops: Stoned driver led police on chase

A motorist led Suffolk County sheriff's deputies and police on a high-speed chase Friday, forcing drivers off the road and hitting a car before blowing out all of his tires and crashing in Shirley, authorities said. The man told authorities he had been up for 48 straight hours, smoking cocaine and marijuana laced with PCP, sheriffs said. At least one person was injured.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Kerry Kneitel said deputies used a stun gun to subdue Curtis Harrison, 34, of Bay Shore, when he tried to run after crashing his car along the northbound William Floyd Parkway.

The eight-minute chase began at 9:03 a.m. on eastbound Sunrise Highway near Exit 53, Route 112, in East Patchogue. A sheriff's deputy spotted the 2002 Mercury Sable driven by Harrison doing "in excess of 90 mph, driving recklessly, forcing people off the road," Kneitel said.

Harrison exited Sunrise onto the southbound William Floyd, drove into the median ditch and blew out two tires, but kept going, Kneitel said. He then turned around and headed north, Kneitel said.

Harrison struck another car's left rear bumper and blew out his two remaining tires, police said. The driver of that car, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital after she complained of whiplash, Kneitel said.

Kneitel said Suffolk police put down spike strips to stop Harrison, but one of the sheriff's units drove over it, blowing out its tires.

Driving on rims, Harrison crashed just south of the railroad crossing on William Floyd, south of Sunrise.

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Kneitel said Harrison tried to run, prompting officers to use a stun gun. He was arrested at 9:11 a.m., Kneitel said.

Kneitel said drugs and alcohol were found in the car and that Harrison later tried to kick out the windows of a sheriff's car taking him to Peconic Bay Medical Center. "He admits to smoking cocaine and marijuana laced with PCP," Kneitel said. "He said he's been up 48 hours."

Before it ended, Kneitel said, at least three sheriff's units and Suffolk police units were involved, and Suffolk police had been asked to dispatch a helicopter for aerial pursuit.

Kneitel said Harrison faces charges of driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired / drugs, and drug possession. The inquiry continues.