Teen arrested following serious crash involving stolen vehicle in Orange

A teenager was arrested on Monday after fleeing a serious crash on Route 34 in Orange moments after police received a report of multiple vehicles being driven recklessly that were later found to be stolen.

Officers were alerted to the reckless motorists just before 8 a.m. as they were coming from Derby, according to the Orange Police Department .

Moments later, one of the vehicles, a Kia Sportage, was involved in a serious crash near the intersection of Mapledale Road, police said. The Kia hit two other cars before striking a tree, according to police.

Witnesses reported to police that the driver of the Kia ran away from the scene and into a nearby wooded area.

The other vehicle that was being driven recklessly, an Audi, was not involved in the wreck but was seen making a U-turn and heading back toward Derby, police said. Police later found that both the Audi and the Kia were stolen from Waterbury in the overnight hours.

The driver of the Kia was arrested and identified as a 17-year-old from New Haven, police said. He was taken to an area hospital to be evaluated.

Police said they were assisted by witnesses, a Seymour Police Department K-9 Unit and an off-duty detective with the New Haven Police Department.