Troopers: Fatal crash found 1 minute after chase called off

State Police say a vehicle pursuit from Albany to Knox ended only a minute before the vehicle was found crashed in the area of Knox-gallupville Road, killing its driver.

State Police initially reported that the chase ended around 1:44 a.m. for safety concerns. Trooper Stephanie O’neil said

Friday that the pursuit ended on Berne-altamont Road in Knox and that troopers located the crash at the intersection of Knox-gallupville Road at about 1:45 a.m.

Driver Jason Benn, 49, of Cohoes died after being brought to Albany Medical Center for injuries he suffered in the crash Wednesday, troopers first reported Thursday.

The attorney general’s office is evaluating the circumstance of the chase and crash. The attorney general is empowered to investigate fatal encounters between police and civilians. A spokeswoman for the agency confirmed Thursday that the office is conducting a preliminary assessment of the case.

Police saw Benn driving erratically around 1:35 a.m. on

Washington Avenue Extension in Albany and violating multiple vehicle and traffic laws, O’neil said in an email Friday. His vehicle also matched one involved in an earlier pursuit in Colonie. When troopers attempted to stop him, a chase began, during which Benn struck two parked vehicles, troopers said.

The pursuit lasted for nine minutes, troopers said.

The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit as well as the state Office of the Attorney General were at the scene, O’neil previously stated.

Benn did not have permission from the owner to operate the vehicle and was in possession of narcotics, troopers said. An investigation is ongoing.