New Bedford Police Arrest Suspects After Fairhaven Car Chase

FAIRHAVEN — New Bedford police have arrested two drug trafficking suspects after they allegedly rammed two police cruisers and led police on a four-mile chase in Fairhaven on Thursday.

Police said in a statement that organized crime detectives saw 29-year-old New Bedford man Nathan Cormier — who they said had an active felony warrant for his arrest — driving from New Bedford to Fairhaven.

Police said the detectives tried to pull him over near the intersection of Sconticut Neck Road and Huttleston Avenue, or where Route 240 meets Route 6.

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But Cormier reversed into an unmarked cruiser and a light pole before shifting into drive, hitting a second cruiser, and fleeing the scene in an escape attempt, according to police.

Police said Cormier drove "recklessly and at a high rate of speed" down Sconticut Neck, leading officers on a four-mile pursuit before spinning out of control and stopping in the shrubbery of a Fairhaven home.

Cormier allegedly kept trying to accelerate even as detectives approached the stopped car, causing the tires to spin.

Both Cormier and his passenger were eventually arrested.

His passenger was identified as 28-year-old Andrew Simuel of Pompano Beach, Florida.

According to police, the men were also found to have over 38 grams of cocaine and a small amount of Percocet.

Both men were charged with cocaine trafficking in excess of 36 grams and conspiracy to violate controlled substance laws.

Cormier was also charged with failing to stop for police, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and three counts of assault and battery on police officers.

Police said Cormier has an extensive criminal history with convictions for assault and battery, firearms and drugs offenses.

The Thompson Street resident had an open case in Bristol Superior Court stemming from a fentanyl trafficking arrest in 2020 at the time of this incident, police noted.

Fairhaven police provided assistance and support in the pursuit.