Hillsdale man dies in police car chase

5/3/2004

HILLSDALE - A Hillsdale man was killed yesterday when his vehicle struck a tree as he fled pursuing police officers in Hillsdale Township.

Richard S. Powell, Jr., 30, was pronounced dead in Hillsdale Community Health Center, where he was taken after the crash, which occurred about 12:25 a.m.

According to the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Department, Hillsdale police tried to stop a vehicle on Carleton Street near Arch Street about 12:20 a.m. The driver refused to pull over, accelerated, and turned onto Mechanic Street, heading west out of Hillsdale.

The vehicle then turned onto Sand Lake Road, heading south, and fled at a high rate of speed, the sheriff's department said. The driver lost control and ran into the tree about a quarter-mile south of West Bacon Road. Mr. Powell was not wearing a seat belt.