New Bedford Man Caught in Fall River After High-Speed Chase

FALL RIVER — A New Bedford man faces numerous charges after trying to outrun a State Police Trooper on Monday morning.

Massachusetts State Police say Trooper Cedric Carvalho was travelling on Route 24 South in Taunton when a 2001 Toyota Corolla driving at a high rate of speed in the breakdown lane attempted to cut in front of his low-profile cruiser in the right lane. Police say the two cars nearly collided as a result of the illegal maneuver.

Trooper Carvalho turned on his blue emergency lights in an attempt to pull the Corolla over. However, the car refused to stop and continued at a high rate of speed on Rt. 24 South.

With State Police still in pursuit, the driver of the Corolla exited the highway at Innovation Way in Fall River, and took a right onto North Main Street, where the vehicle side-swiped an oncoming car. The collision disabled the Corolla, forcing the driver to exit the vehicle and flee on foot.

Trooper Carvalho engaged in a foot-pursuit, and apprehended the driver without further incident several hundred yards away from the scene of the crash.

Police identify the driver as Dereck Hunt, 47, of New Bedford.

Hunt is charged with receiving stolen property, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to stop for a police officer, failure to use a turn signal, driving in the wrong travel lane, driving in the breakdown lane, and speeding.

State Police say Hunt is also wanted by local police in Raynham in connection to the theft of a television set from a Walmart in the town.