Rochester man killed while leading troopers on Thruway chase

Posted at: 02/06/2012 8:19 AM | Updated at: 02/06/2012 12:07 PM

State Police say a man who led troopers on a high-speed chase for almost 40 miles on the state Thruway died when his car struck a tree.
    
The chase began when troopers spotted a reportedly stolen car on the Thruway near Fonda just before 5 a.m. Monday. 25-year-old Ricardo Bernabeu, Jr. drove east at speeds topping 100 mph before striking a tree at Albany Exit 23 about 20 minutes later.
    
State Police believe Bernabeu had been trying to exit the highway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
    
Police say Bernabeu had stolen a Lexus from Rochester that he abandoned at the Savon Gas Station in Canastota where he stole the Hyundai from which was in front of the store.

Rochester Police tell News10NBC Bernabeu was previously arrested on February 1 for grand larceny for stealing credit cards.

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