MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis Police officer was involved in a four-vehicle crash in East Memphis while pursuing a stolen car Tuesday night.

By the next morning, police said five people had been arrested.

The incident began Monday night, when officers responded to a car theft on Nelson Avenue in Midtown. The victims were approached by two armed suspects.

The suspects demanded money; when the victims didn’t have any, they took their Nissan Rogue.

Tuesday night, officers tried to stop the car near Getwell Road. The vehicle kept going, which caused a police chase. Two suspects ran from the car and were taken into custody.

At Park Avenue and Highland Street, the car hit two vehicles before coming to a stop. The driver and passenger were taken into custody.

An MPD patrol car hit another vehicle while trying to avoid the first accident.

MPD released the following charges:
Nicholas Marshall, 19, was charged with Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000.

Keishun Scott, 19, was charged with Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000 and Evading Arrest on Foot. He also had warrants for Soliciting Attempted First Degree Murder (3X), Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon (6X), Aggravated Assault (2X), and Failure to Appear in a Misdemeanor Case.

Armando Avila, 18, was charged with Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000 and Evading Arrest.

Donya Williams, 18, was charged with Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000, Evading Arrest, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.

Reports state that while officers investigated the crash, they found two clear baggies containing fentanyl and cocaine inside Seairra Franklin’s Toyota.

Seairra Franklin, 36, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture/Deliver/Sell (2X).

The number of crashes involving Memphis Police this year is in the hundreds. From January 1 to the end of last month, there were 376 crashes involving MPD.