Man dead after fleeing police and crashing into nativity scene, police say

A 32-year-old East Alton man died Thursday night after crashing a car into a Bunker Hill nativity scene while fleeing from a traffic stop, according to Illinois State Police.

A trooper attempted to pull over Christopher Johnson on suspicion of a traffic violation just after 8 p.m. on Illinois 267 near Kemper Road, according to a release from Illinois State Police Trooper Heath Bryan.

Johnson reportedly drove off instead, and a chase ensued.

Eventually officers called off the chase, and a Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted Johnson’s car, a 2002 Pontiac, a short while later, Bryan wrote.

Johnson once again reportedly tried to flee police but lost control of the car and crashed into a tree just north of Franklin and Warren streets in Bunker Hill, according to Bryan.

Bryan said there was damage done to the First Congregational Church’s nativity scene.

The Pontiac caught fire, and Johnson died at the scene of the accident.

Illinois State Police is investigating the accident.

This story was originally published January 5, 2018 at 7:13 AM with the headline "Man dead after fleeing police and crashing into nativity scene, police say."