Pennsylvania State Police identified a man who died after setting himself on fire during a police chase along Interstate 81 in Dauphin County early Tuesday.
Authorities say Brian White, 33, of Hummelstown, set himself ablaze inside his vehicle as he was being pursued by state troopers in the northbound lanes of I-81 in West Hanover Township.
The incident began around 11:30 p.m. Monday after White’s mother contacted 911 saying her son was suicidal and just left the home. State troopers found White’s vehicle parked along the side of the road at Fishing Creek Valley Road and Route 322 in Middle Paxton around 3 a.m Tuesday.
As troopers approached the vehicle– White sped off and got onto I-81, said Trooper Robert Hicks, a state police spokesman.
During the chase– White was seen emptying multiple cans of gasoline inside the vehicle and tossing cigarettes out of the window, Hick said.
Troopers deployed spike strips near mile marker 72 in an attempt to safely end the chase. But that didn’t slow White down. The chase continued for another few miles until flames engulfed the inside of White’s car.
Troopers were unable to get to the vehicle and save White because of the intense flames, Hicks said.
White was pronounced dead at the scene.