Fleeing motorist who caused 6-car crash has died

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Authorities say a man accused of fleeing a traffic stop and causing a six-vehicle pileup near Interstate 70 in north St. Louis has died from his injuries.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 29-year-old Silas Smith of St. Louis was thrown from his vehicle in the late Monday morning crash and later died at a hospital.

Police had originally reported eight people injured in the pileup, but said Tuesday that only three other people beside Smith were hurt, including a 28-year-old woman with critical injuries.

Police say the incident began when officers tried to pull over Smith’s Dodge Challenger, and Smith sped off.

Police say Smith ran a red light as he fled and was hit by another car, causing the chain reaction.