(LIGONIER) – Authorities are investigating a high speed chase and crash that resulted in five people being injured.

Indiana State Police say at 8:25 AM Saturday, a trooper saw a vehicle traveling east on U.S. 6 west of Ligonier at speeds over 100 MPH. The Trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, which eventually went south on State Road 5 and headed back into Ligonier. The Troopers ended the pursuit due to the risk to the public.

A short time later the vehicle was involved in a crash on U.S. 33, just south of U.S. 6.

Investigators say the suspect vehicle disregarded the traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. 33 and U.S. 6, and crashed into the rear of an SUV, which had just turned south onto U.S. 33. The SUV went off the road and into a side ditch where it flipped on its side. The suspect vehicle went left of center and hit a north bound car.

The driver of the suspect vehicle, 23 year old Ethan Aza of Warsaw, was seriously injured in the crash. He was removed by the Ligonier Fire Department and taken by Parkview EMS to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

The driver and the passenger of the SUV both sustained serious injuries. The passenger was flown to Parkview Regional Medical Center by Samaritan Helicopter and is in critical condition. The driver was also taken to Parkview Regional Medical Center.

The driver and passenger in the other vehicle sustained minor injuries and were taken to Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville.

The Trooper who first pursued the suspect vehicle was one of the first officers on scene of the crash. He sustained cuts to his hands and arms and was treated and released from Parkview Noble Hospital.

Extreme speed, alcohol and drugs are suspected to be contributing factors in this crash, which is still under investigation. The results of the investigation will be turned over to the Noble County Prosecutor’s Office for review.