Drunk driver leads police on high-speed chase in Central Fresno, ends in crash and hazmat situation

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police said a drunk driver led an officer on a high speed chase that ended with a fiery crash.

Police said 37-year-old Donald Whitley was driving a truck erratically on Blackstone near Princeton and started speeding when a motorcycle officer tried to pull him over. Moments later, the truck crashed into a telephone pole near Ratcliffe Stadium and caught on fire.

Whitley had pool supply chemicals in the bed of his truck that ignited causing a hazmat incident.

Witness said Whitley ran and hopped barbed wire fences between businesses to get away, but he didn't get far. Officers caught up with him, they said he was injured during the chase and he was taken to the hospital.

"He's bleeding, we don't know if it's from the crash-- pretty serious crash here, if you see the truck-- or if it's from him jumping fences as he was trying to get away," said Joe Gomez, Fresno Police Department.

Firefighters were able to put the fire out and no one was injured.

Whitley is in custody and he could face several charges, including DUI and hit-and-run.