Wild car chase on I-86 leads to arrest of Bath man
THE LEADER STAFF

BATH A Bath man is facing several charges after leading police on a high-speed chase early Monday morning.

State police said Jeffrey R. Murphy, 45, of 6687 Route 415, fled Bath village police at approximately 7:47 a.m. after they tried to pull over the van he was driving. The white Chevy Cargo matched the description of a vehicle reported stolen Sunday in Rochester.

Instead of pulling over, Murphy accelerated, ran a red light, drove up exit 38 and entered I-86 westbound with police in pursuit. The chase, which exceeded 100 mph, continued to Kanona, where Murphy entered a U-turn and headed eastbound on I-86, police said.

Police said Murphy struck a police car attempting to pass the van in order to set up a roadblock. He then crossed the median and continued eastbound in the westbound lane with police in pursuit.

After four miles of driving in the wrong lane, police forced the van back into the median. The chase continued eastbound with Murphy hitting police vehicles attempting to pass, police said.

The chase ended when Murphy struck a police car and spun out of control. The van hit guard rails and came to rest in the median near exit 39.

He was charged with thirddegree criminal possession of stolen property, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief, unlawful fleeing of a police officer and numerous vehicle and traffic violations that include speeding, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation, passed red light, speed in zone and driving across or within divided area of a controlled access highway.

Police said he is also a suspect in area gas larcenies and check forgeries.

Murphy, who suffered a broken rib during the chase, was treated at Ira Davenport Hospital.

He was sent to Steuben County Jail without bail. He will appear in court on Aug. 27.

Further charges are pending.

Bath state police and village police participated in the chase.