BRIDGETON — A 21-year-old Cumberland County man died Friday night after a high-speed police chase that ended when his car crashed into a utility pole on Route 49.

The chase began at 8:59 p.m. near South West Avenue when a trooper spotted a maroon Lincoln Continental Towncar that matched the description of a car that had fled after hitting a Bridgeton police vehicle earlier in the evening.

The trooper turned on his lights and sirens to pull the car over, but the driver took off, police said.

The chase was ended once the trooper lost sight of the car, State Police said Saturday.

Shortly thereafter, Bridgeton police reported the crash on the highway at milepost 25.7.

Devonte Brooks, of Millville, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say Brooks' car was traveling fast, going east, when he lost control at a curve and ran off the road.

The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office also is investigating.

Officials did not release other details.

Police in New Jersey are allowed to pursue suspects in vehicles if they are wanted in connection to a serious crime or if they pose "an immediate threat to the safety of the public or other police officers." Officers are supposed to call off a chase if the distance between vehicles becomes too great or if the chase becomes “a clear and unreasonable danger," according to the state attorney general's guidelines.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.

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