Driver, passenger face drug and gun charges following I-91 police chase in Holyoke

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Three Springfield residents are facing charges after a vehicle allegedly led Massachusetts State Police on a small chase following a traffic stop on I-91 before crashing in Holyoke. According to state police, troopers attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding on I-91 northbound in Holyoke around noon Monday. The driver allegedly failed to stop and continued north on the highway at speeds estimated between 90 and 107 mph. Police said the vehicle eventually exited the highway and crashed on the Exit 15A off-ramp. Following the crash, the driver allegedly jumped over a guardrail and left on foot. Two passengers remained at the scene and were detained. Investigators reported finding firearms and a large amount of marijuana inside the vehicle. A search for the suspect involved troopers from the Springfield and Northampton barracks, the State Police Community Action Team, Air Wing, and K-9 units, as well as officers from the Holyoke and Easthampton police departments. Authorities said the suspect was located in Holyoke around 2:45 p.m. and was taken into custody following a brief foot chase. The driver was identified as 23-year-old Markus Mathieu of Springfield. He is facing multiple charges, including failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violations, speeding, and possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug. One passenger, 24-year-old Kevon Crittendon of Springfield, is charged with possession of a large-capacity feeding device and possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug. The second passenger, 23-year-old De'Shye Brewster of Springfield, is charged with failure to report a firearms transaction and possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug. The incident remains under investigation.