Driver arrested after leading Massachusetts State Police on multiple pursuits, fleeing at nearly 100 mph

An alleged drugged driver who led State and local police on two pursuits overnight was eventually apprehended by Massachusetts State Police Troopers after they used a tire deflation device to stop his vehicle on Route 3 in Duxbury.

According to Dave Procopio of Massachusetts State Police, Troopers took 25-year-old Michael J. Goncalves, of Plymouth, into custody after he lost control of his 2018 Hyundai Elantra sedan on Route 3 north just before 3:15 a.m., several minutes after he drove over stop sticks in the area of Exit 13.

Goncalves was examined at South Shore Hospital and was then transported to the State Police-Norwell Barracks, where he was booked on charges of OUI-drugs; failure to stop for police; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; marked lanes violation; number plate violation; excessive window tint; and speeding. He will be brought to Plymouth District Court for arraignment today.

The sequence of events that led to Goncalves arrest began just before 1:45 a.m., when a Trooper observed a license plate violation with the suspect’s vehicle and attempted to stop him on Route 3 south in Kingston. Goncalves refused to stop and fled at speeds of nearly 100 mph. Moments later the suspect exited the highway, heading toward Route 3A in Plymouth. State Police terminated their pursuit advised Plymouth Police of the suspect’s route of flight.

At approximately 2:45 a.m., Plymouth Police advised MSP that they located the suspect vehicle on Ship Pond Road in their town and attempted to stop it. Goncalves again refused to stop for police and fled. Several minutes later the Elantra hit stop sticks that were set up on Long Pond Road. The suspect continued to flee with Plymouth Police in pursuit. The vehicle was lost after it turned onto Beaver Dam Road.

Just before 3:00 a.m., a Trooper located the suspect vehicle on Route 3 north in Plymouth and initiated another pursuit. As with the initial pursuit, MSP Troop D assumed command and control. At that time the Elantra appeared to have one flat tire from the previous stop sticks strike.

While a Trooper continued to pursue the suspect on Route 3 north, other Troopers positioned themselves ahead of the approaching suspect, blocked the off ramp at Exit 13, and laid stop sticks across the highway. The suspect vehicle hit those sticks at about 3:00 a.m. and its tires began smoking.

Goncalves continued to flee on damaged tires for several more minutes at speeds up to 67 mph, before fully losing control, entering the median north of Exit 22, and rolling over. Troopers requested that EMS respond and determined Goncalves was the only occupant of the vehicle. During an investigation on scene, including conversation with Goncalves, Troopers determined he was operating under the influence of narcotics.

Goncalves was transported to the hospital for treatment of a minor injury. He was then brought back to the barracks where Troopers booked him on the above charges.