WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – A Springfield man is in custody after fleeing a Wednesday morning traffic stop in Holyoke and crashing the vehicle in West Springfield.

Holyoke Police said that officers received information about a gun case, including a description of a suspect and suspect vehicle, Wednesday morning. The gun had been reportedly stolen out of Springfield.

Around 9 a.m., police saw the vehicle on Route 5, near the West Springfield-Holyoke line and pulled the vehicle over. The suspect, identified by police as 37-year-old Carlos Maldonado of Springfield, allegedly hit a police cruiser while continuing to flee the area. He then allegedly drove the wrong way on Route 5 and crashed into an uninvolved vehicle near the 500 block of Riverdale Street.

Police added that Maldonado ran from the scene, but he was taken into custody a short time later, placed under arrest, and the gun was found. He is facing charges related to Wednesday’s incident including:

Investigators noted that Maldonado had two outstanding warrants on several charges, including:

Arrest Warrant: Hampden Superior Court

Arrest Warrant: Holyoke District Court

Three Holyoke police officers were hurt during Wednesday’s incident and were taken an area hospital to have their injuries evaluated. Maldonado and the uninvolved driver were also both taken to an area hospital and the extent of their injuries is not immediately known.

The crash is under investigation by Mass. State Police, while the original incident is under investigation by Holyoke Police.

Both directions of the road were closed between Elm Street and East Elm Street for some time and traffic was diverted around the area. As of 12 p.m., the southbound lanes had reopened to drivers.

Western Mass News has a crew at the scene and will have more information as it becomes available.

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