2 of 5 people charged in connection to fiery crash that stemmed from police pursuit

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Two people have been criminally charged in connection with a high-speed police pursuit that ended in a fiery crash in Milwaukee. 

The chase and crash happened Tuesday, Jan. 30. It began near 19th and Center, when officers observed a vehicle wanted in connection to an armed robbery. 

Police attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver, later identified as 18-year-old James Poole, did not stop. 

According to a criminal complaint, the pursuit lasted almost six miles, and reached speeds of 91 mph. Officials say Poole disregarded numerous stop signs and traveled in wrong traffic lanes. 

The pursuit ended with the fleeing vehicle crashed into a tree near 82nd and Burleigh. 

Poole, according to officials, was found in the driver's seat with significant injuries and a gun in his waistband. Three passengers -- a 14-year-old girl, 19-year-old woman, and a 20-year-old woman -- were all taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries and then arrested. Another 20-year-old passenger -- identified by authorities as Jabari Griffin -- fled from the vehicle but was arrested after a short foot pursuit. 

The criminal complaint says, approximately one hour before the crash police were called to an armed carjacking that occurred near North 2nd Street and St. Paul Avenue. The vehicle that was stolen was a silver Infinity Q50. The victim told investigators he was walking to his parked vehicle when a person walked up to his window armed with two firearms. The suspect, according to officials, was identified as Poole. 

Detectives interviewed the 19-year-old passenger involved in the crash. They admitted, according to the complaint, Griffin drove Poole to help carjack the victim near 2nd and St. Paul.

Poole is charged with the following: 

• Armed robbery, as party to a crime (three counts) 
• Flee or elude an officer
• First-degree reckless injury (three counts)
• First-degree recklessly endangering safety
• Possession of a firearm by adjudicated delinquent 

Griffin, 20, is charged with the following: 

• Armed robbery, as party to a crime