SUV fleeing Palm Beach police smashes into Flagler Bridge gates

An SUV fleeing Palm Beach Police smashed the gates on the Flagler Memorial Bridge around midday Monday, prompting the closure of eastbound lanes for about an hour, according to department spokesman Capt. Will Rothrock.

Rothrock told the Palm Beach Daily News that officers had stopped the driver of the red BMW SUV at 12:47 p.m. in connection with a recent vehicle theft when the driver fled the scene.

The vehicle then "traveled the wrong way, westbound in the eastbound lanes, over the Flagler Memorial Bridge. As this was happening, the bridge gate arms came down prior to a drawbridge opening. The vehicle broke through the bridge traffic arms, and continued on into West Palm Beach," Rothrock said.

No crashes with other vehicles were reported while it was within the town, he said.

Investigations are continuing, Rothrock said.

Jack Lynch, an employee at the J. McLaughlin apparel store, said he witnessed the SUV racing westward on the bridge's eastbound lanes.

More: Palm Beach police warn residents to lock their cars after BMW is stolen

“The gates were down when the SUV smashed through,” Lynch said. “I could see the windshield was destroyed, and there was a whole parade of police cars chasing them.”

Law enforcement ultimately seized the vehicle in Broward County, but the occupants remain at large, Rothrock said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach Police: Fleeing SUV smashes gates on Flagler Bridge