Teen fleeing police at 90 mph dies after he crashes

A teenager died after he fled from police and crashed his car into a light pole early Wednesday in Royal Oak, police said.

Souhib Zokari, 18, was pronounced dead at William Beaumont Hospital.

The driver was first pursued in Madison Heights shortly before 1:45 a.m. in Madison Heights.

“Our officers tried to stop him for a traffic violation after he made a prohibited turn,” said Madison Heights police Lt. Michael Siladke. “After he failed to stop and accelerated we terminated the pursuit at that point.”

Madison Heights ended their pursuit on westbound 11 Mile Road near John R.

Royal Oak police said they spotted Zokari heading west on 11 Mile Road near Stephenson Highway and his vehicle had no license plate on it.

Royal Oak officers tried to stop the driver in his car on 11 Mile near Campbell Road.

However, Zokari fled at a high rate of speed, said Royal Oak police Lt. Albert Carter in a news release.

“The suspect vehicle continued westbound on 11 Mile at speeds in excess of 90 mph, attempting to evade the officers,” Carter said in a statement.

Zokari turned south onto Woodward Avenue from 11 Mile and continued to flee.

“The driver then lost control of his vehicle, striking a light pole at southbound Woodward and South Washington,” Carter said in his statement.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Police officers were unable to aid the injured driver because he was trapped inside his vehicle from the impact of the crash, police said.

Royal Oak Fire Department emergency medical technicians and other firefighters were called to the crash scene.

Firefighters used a jaws-of-life tool to extract Zokari from his car and took him to the hospital.

Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies came to the crash site to investigate.

The incident is being investigated by the Royal Oak police criminal investigations division, police said.