A multi-vehicle crash involving a semi truck in Daytona Beach on Saturday afternoon turned into a chase through the city for the semi's driver who fled the scene with his two children, according to Daytona Beach police.

Deputy Police Chief Craig Capri said 30-year-old Matthew Barthel was driving with a suspended commercial license, and he totaled four cars before and during the chase with his white, 18-wheeler.

Authorities said shortly after 2:30 p.m. Barthel struck three cars at the intersection of Clyde Morris Boulevard and Beville Road. He then allegedly fled the scene and began driving toward International Speedway Boulevard, and an officer attempted to stop him at Midway Avenue and Richard Petty Boulevard. Barthel stopped and officers could hear a young girl in the truck yelling for help, Capri said, but then Barthel fled from officers again.

Officers continued to follow the semi through the city as Barthel drove at excessive speeds, ran red lights, hit another truck and began driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Clyde Morris, police say.

Capri said Barthel eventually abandoned the truck in a field by the 7-Eleven off Clyde Morris Boulevard and south Reed Canal Road in Port Orange, near Atlantic High School. Barthel and two children, a 7-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy later identified as his children, began running through the thick brush.

According to Capri, officers were able to grab the children first to make sure they were OK. They had minor injuries and were handed over to their mother, he said.

Police and a Volusia County Sheriff's Office Air One helicopter located Barthel in the woods, who had broken his leg during the incident.

Barthel was charged with two counts of hit-and-run with injuries, aggravated child abuse and aggravated fleeing and eluding.