Chase of murder suspect ends in crash, into off duty cop and kids

New Orleans Police have released a statement after a Tuesday afternoon police chase that landed four people in the hospital.

"The NOPD is investigating an authorized vehicle pursuit incident," Public Information Officer Aaron Looney said in an email from  NOPD Public Affairs.

The chase ended in a crash at the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Kabel Drive in Algiers.

"At about 4:00 p.m., NOPD Fourth District officers initiated a traffic stop on a red two-door Audi car at the intersection of General Meyer Avenue and Kabel Drive. The vehicle matched the description of a vehicle sought in the investigation of a March 18 homicide in the 3000 block of General Meyer Avenue."

Investigators say the driver did not stop and fled from the police.

"The officers then requested and received approval to pursue the vehicle."

The pursuit ended five blocks later when the fleeing suspect slammed into an SUV.

"The SUV was occupied by an off-duty police officer and two juvenile children. The officer was not involved in the pursuit."

The officer and two children "were transported to a local hospital as a precautionary measure."

The fleeing driver was also hospitalized.  There was no word in the driver's condition.

"The NOPD Public Integrity Bureau’s Force Investigation Team is conducting an investigation on the pursuit incident. As such, no further information is currently available."

Looney did not say if the driver is facing charges related to the murder, nor what charges will be filed as a result of the chase.