Suspect crashes into parked police car, sparks explosion

MESA, Ariz. - A suspected DUI driver is dead after a fiery collision with a parked Mesa police vehicle during a pursuit.

Mesa police say Gilbert police called them regarding a possible DUI and failure to yield around 12:30 a.m. Pinal County Sheriff's deputies then joined the pursuit of the 1989 Chevrolet truck going north on Ellsworth from Pecos.

The deputies used stop sticks disabling all the truck's tires, but the suspect kept going.

Two Mesa police officers parked their vehicles on Baseline Road to warn other vehicles in the area. But they say as the suspect approached the intersection of Ellsworth and Baseline Road, he swerved and hit the one of marked police cars without slowing, causing a large explosion.

Police say the officers were not in their cars and were unhurt, but they were unable to rescue the suspect due the intensity of the fire.

The suspect died at the scene.

The suspect vehicle and both police cars were severely damaged.