Newark police Det. Todd McClendon said the crash occurred late Friday, when a city officer on patrol noticed a car reported stolen out of Elizabeth and tried to stop it. However, the 17-year-old driver - identified only as a Newark resident - fled the scene.
A short time later, the driver ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of Chestnut Street and McCarter Highway, McClendon said. Police were not pursuing the car at the time.
Malik Proctor of Newark, who was sitting in the rear seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another backseat passenger, a 17-year-old boy, was taken to University Hospital in Newark, where he was listed in critical but stable condition Saturday.
The driver and another passenger, identified only as an Irvington resident, tried to flee on foot but were soon captured, McClendon said. They and the injured teen face numerous charges, including receiving stolen property and weapons offenses, and more charges may be filed. The driver was also charged with eluding.
Two people in the other car were treated for minor injuries that McClendon said were not considered life-threatening.
The incident will be investigated by Newark police and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
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