Search for suspect after Tampa police chase, crash

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A police chase ended with a crash in east Tampa late Wednesday afternoon, and the search continues for the passenger in that car.

It was a mess, during rush hour traffic, when the chase ended with a crash in the middle of a busy intersection. 

Police arrested the driver of the car that hit another vehicle and a light pole, toppling it to the ground.

The ordeal started around 4th Street and 15th Avenue - about three miles from the crash that happened at the intersection of 50th Street and Columbus Drive.

Officers said it started when they heard gunfire. Tampa police tried to stop the car from where they believe the gunfire came.

Police say the driver sped off, so officers went after the car. Then the driver sideswiped a gray car and then hit a pole at 50th Street and Columbus.

TPD says that’s when the people inside tried, unsuccessfully, to carjack another car, and then made a run for it.

Police caught the driver but not the passenger.

Officers said they found a gun that was thrown out from the car. They were forced to shut down the intersection for about three and a half hours to investigate. 

The driver sideswiped during the crash said he’s OK.

Police said the driver wasn’t badly hurt.