PORTAGE – A man was airlifted to a hospital Friday afternoon after allegedly fleeing from Portage Police and crashing at the intersection of Willowcreek Road and U.S. Highway 6.

According to the Portage Police Department, officers were initially dispatched during the day shift on June 26 to a residence on Fiesta Avenue for reports of threats and a violation of a protection order. Officers were unable to locate the suspect during that response.

At approximately 3:45 p.m., officers were called back to the same residence for another report involving the suspect. As officers arrived, they observed the suspect’s vehicle leaving the area. After checking on the complainant, officers broadcast a description of the vehicle to other units.

A Portage officer soon located the vehicle traveling southbound on Willowcreek Road near 700 North and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Police said the driver initially continued at a normal speed before making a U-turn at 700 North, appearing as though he intended to stop. Instead, the driver suddenly accelerated away, prompting a pursuit.

Investigators said the suspect continued northbound on Willowcreek Road and entered the intersection at U.S. Highway 6 against a red light, where the vehicle collided with another motorist. The impact caused the suspect’s vehicle to lose control, leave the roadway, strike a tree, and roll several times. The driver was ejected from the vehicle before it came to rest in a nearby parking lot.

The suspect was airlifted from the scene for treatment of his injuries. A female passenger in the suspect vehicle was transported by ambulance with minor injuries.

The driver of the vehicle struck in the intersection was treated at the scene and released. During the rollover, the suspect’s vehicle also struck a third vehicle parked in the lot, and one occupant of that vehicle was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation. Portage Police said additional information regarding the driver’s condition and any potential criminal charges will be released at a later time.