RPD releases further information on the accident that resulted in the death of a 92-year-old man in Brighton

Rochester police have released more information about a chase and crash that ended with the death of an elderly man in Brighton on Thursday.

The victim is 92-year-old Thomas Chase from Brighton. He died when his car was struck by a vehicle being pursued by police following an incident in the city near Maria and Bernard Streets.

Police Chief David Smith said there were three teenagers in the stolen car that collided with Chase's car at the corner of East Avenue and Elmwood Avenue on Thursday afternoon.

It started around 3:30 p.m. when officers rushed to Maria and Bernard Streets because a ShotSpotter had been activated and multiple gunshots had been detected. When officers arrived, they found a crash at the intersection of Clifford Ave. and Maria St. involving a Kia that police said had previously been reported stolen in Irondequoit and had bullet holes in it.

According to RPD, witnesses at the scene described men fleeing the scene in a Kia.

An officer located a 19-year-old suspect and a foot chase ensued toward Friederich Park. While in Friederich Park, the suspect was picked up in another stolen Kia, according to police. They said the Kia then approached an officer at a high rate of speed and then sped away.

Police again attempted to stop the vehicle on Barons Street. It continued driving and a chase ensued that lasted about 8 minutes and ended with a crash at the corner of East and Elmwood Avenue in Brighton. Police said the suspect's vehicle was traveling south on East Avenue and collided with the car of Thomas Chase, who was turning west onto Elmwood Avenue. He died in the collision.

Chief Smith spoke about the emotions that arose as he approached Chase's car at the accident scene.

“And I went to Mr. Chase's car,” Smith said. “I've been doing this for 32 years, I've seen a lot. Mr. Chase was there, still in his car, covered with a blanket. I said the Lord's Prayer for Mr. Chase because there was no one with him, no one but us.”

Smith said that although the number of violent crimes in the city has decreased, there are still incidents of this kind that cause great suffering to people.

“But despite our efforts to hold accountable those who bring this evil into our community and are responsible for the destruction of our community, some people continue to wreak havoc until, sadly, someone dies and we find ourselves here – and I'm talking about another death in our community.”

According to authorities, there were three teenagers between the ages of 17 and 19 in the stolen car. They all suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital.

Smith noted that the 17-year-old male driver of the car being pursued by police is currently on probation for burglary. Police said that this teen was arrested in early 2023 for at least a dozen burglaries across the city of Rochester, where he crashed a stolen vehicle into store windows and robbed those businesses.

Officials also said the 18-year-old passenger was arrested in a nearby town in July for stealing a car.

The investigation into the crash is being conducted by both the Rochester Police Department and the Attorney General's Office. Smith said the RPD will process criminal charges against the three teens and the Attorney General's Office will investigate the pursuit, which is standard procedure in incidents of this nature. The chief said that after his initial review of what happened, he does not see any violations of the RPD's pursuit policies.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Major Crimes at 585-428-7157 or email [email protected].

Police and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office are still reviewing possible charges in this case.