Police: Massachusetts Man Crashes Stolen SUV, Fights With Officers

A Massachusetts man was allegedly driving a stolen SUV and high on PCP when he crashed on Albany Avenue early Sunday. He was taken into custody after a violent struggle with officers and three shots from a Taser, said.

Hernan Santana, 30, of Chicopee, Mass., who was also wanted by police in New York, faced multiple charges, including third-degree larceny, possession of a hallucinogen and interfering with an officer, police said.

Santana was allegedly speeding in a 2005 Honda CRV near Mountain Road about 4 a.m. when he veered off the road and crashed. Police found a bottle in the vehicle with an unusually large amount of PCP, Captain Joseph LaSata said.

“It was one of the largest amounts that we’ve come across to date,” LaSata said. “It was something new to us, although we’ve seen a large uptick in [PCP use].”

LaSata said two officers were required to control Santana, who allegedly admitted smoking PCP before the accident, police said.

Santana, who is 5-foot-7, 190 pounds, was initially jailed on $500,000 bail for eight charges, including DUI.

On Monday, Santana appeared in Hartford Superior Court and waived extradition to New York. Judge Joan K. Alexander set bail at $95,000.

Santana’s employment was described as “personal care” in court papers.

The case against Santana in New York was not specified in court papers but involved tampering with evidence.

In April 2011, Santana was charged by Massachusetts state police in connection with a stolen Honda Accord. He allegedly led troopers on a chase before crashing into a van in Chicopee and fleeing.