The pursuit lasted for over 5 miles but police stopped the chase after the man exited the highway - a short time later he ran into and killed a Trenton woman
HAMILTON -- The police pursuit prior to the crash that killed a 22-year-old Trenton woman Monday night traveled along two highways before state troopers ended it, the New Jersey State Police said Wednesday.
Deja Farrior-Quinones was killed when the fleeing vehicle, driven by a Ocean County man, ran a red light at the intersection of South Broad Street and Park Avenue in Hamilton, slamming into her car. She was trying to make a left turn and the impact pinned her car against a pole. She died at a the hospital.
The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office has said that just before 10 p.m., Monday, a State Police's Crime Suppression Unit was conducting a narcotics investigation in Trenton.
Deja Farrior, 22, was killed in a crash following a police chase (Facebook profile photo used with permission from the family) Troopers tried to pull over the vehicle, a Chevy Trailblazer driven by 22-year-old Chandler Heaviside, of Jackson, after spotting an alleged drug transaction.
The vehicle fled, and Heaviside eventually led troopers on a pursuit that stretched over five miles, the State Police said Wednesday.
The State Police did not say exactly where the pursuit began, but Trenton police say it was in the area of Parkside Avenue, in the city's West Ward.
Troopers pursued Heaviside onto southbound Route 29 in Trenton, then onto Route 195 eastbound into Hamilton, and the fleeing vehicle exited the highway at Exit 3, the State Police said. (Exit 3 is Yardville-Hamilton Square Road).
The fleeing vehicle got back onto the interstate at the same exit, and proceeded back toward Trenton, westbound, and it then exited the highway at Exit 2, State Police said.
Troopers stopped their pursuit at the bottom of the exit - which leads motorists to South Broad Street.
No longer pursued by police, Heaviside continued onto South Broad Street - northbound - and ran the red light at the intersection of Park Avenue.
Chandler Heaviside Heaviside got out of his car and fled on foot after the crash but was quickly taken into custody by officers.
The State Police, and the Mercer prosecutor's office, have not made public the speeds of the pursuit, or details of how the troopers proceeded to the crash site.
it's unclear if other police agencies were involved in any portions of the pursuit.
During a search once he was detained, officers found Heaviside was carrying heroin, authorities have said.
And two passengers in his car - Lawrence Sears, 28, of Manchester, and Harry Remington III, 25, of Brick - are facing charges for drug possession after a police found a bundle of heroin on the car floorboard, authorities have said.
Heaviside was charged with drug possession, death by auto while under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, leaving the scene of an accident involving death, causing death while driving with a suspended license, assault by auto and eluding.
Mercer County prosecutors and the State Police continue to investigate the incident and crash.
A court hearing for Heaviside is scheduled for Thursday morning in Mercer County Superior Court in Trenton.
Farrior-Quinones' family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for their "fight for truth and justice."
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman.