‘Psychiatric issue’ led to Parsippany man’s high-speed chase, cops say

RIVERDALE - A high-speed police chase through multiple municipalities was attributed to a psychiatric episode after a Parsippany man hit several cars Sunday afternoon, police said.

At about 4 p.m. Sunday, Patrolman Mike Reilly observed a red 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage driving in a “highly erratic way” on Route 287 North at a high rate of speed, Riverdale Lt. James MacIntosh said.

Reilly then attempted to stop the Mitsubishi, but the driver of the vehicle – later identified as Keshav Prasad, 30, of Lake Hiawatha – instead sped up, cut across the roadway, and exited onto Hamburg Turnpike, MacIntosh said.

Prasad then began driving east on Hamburg Turnpike, eventually traveling on the opposite side of the roadway, MacIntosh said.

Prasad continued to drive recklessly on Hamburg Turnpike, running red lights and swerving around vehicles, as officers continued to follow him into Wayne, MacIntosh said.

Prasad then turned onto Alps Road, followed by Route 23 North, at which time he sped up again, swerving around more vehicles and nearly striking several of them, MacIntosh said.

Once entering Pequannock, Parsad struck a vehicle traveling in the right lane past the Alexander Avenue intersection, MacIntosh said.

Prasad fled the scene of that crash and hit two more vehicles prior to the Jackson Avenue intersection before his Mitsubishi rolled over and came to a stop, MacIntosh said.

Pequannock police were alerted to the chase by Riverdale police at about 4:10 p.m. and upon arrival rendered aid at the scene of both crashes and helped arrest Prasad, Pequannock Capt. Christopher DePuyt said.

Prasad was taken into custody and charged with second-degree eluding.

Police on the scene said Prasad appeared to be having a “psychiatric issue,” and he was taken to St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville for treatment for minor injuries from the crash and for a psychiatric evaluation, MacIntosh said.

Three individuals in one of the cars struck by Prasad were taken to Chilton Medical Center by Pequannock Township First Aid Squad for injuries and complaints of pain, DePuyt said.

Pequannock Police handled the accident investigation, and all lanes of Route 23 North were briefly closed until officers could secure and process the scene, DePuyt said.

Pequannock Police additionally charged Prasad with two counts of reckless driving, two counts of making an unsafe lane change, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, failing to report a motor vehicle accident, and three counts of assault with an automobile.

Prasad has a pending court appearance March 7.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com