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Man Arrested Following Butler Co. Police Chase, Crashes

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP (KDKA) - A police chase suspect was taken into custody following a crash that left another person injured Monday night in Butler County.

According to police, Route 8 was shut down for hours after a police chase led to several crashes. However, the man behind the wheel allegedly had suicidal thoughts and is believed to be in this country illegally.

The chase started in Middlesex Township around 7 p.m. and the suspect has been identified as 41-year-old Jose Rios.

"The lights and sirens were both activated. They chased him for quite a while there," Middlesex Township Police Officer Ron Perkins said.

Police were called initially to check on a suspicious car parked outside of a home on Route 8. Police said Rios, in broken English, lied to police and when the sergeant attempted to pull him over down the road and he sped off. He allegedly told police that he was running from them because he wanted to kill himself.

"He didn't want to stop. He wanted to take his own life, at least that's what he said," Officer Perkins said.

Rios is believed to have been in the area for around six months, but his citizenship is also in question.

According to police, 25-year-old Matthew Conte received serious injuries when Rios crashed into his car. He had to be flown to an area hospital. Just moments before the accident, Rios also slammed into two other vehicles.

"Very dangerous. It puts us at risk, the public at risk and the person leaving the scene," Officer Perkins said.

Rios is facing a host of charges including, aggravated assault, reckless driving and fleeing police.

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