A police chase that stretched from Irondale to Birmingham ended in a massive crash Monday morning.

The incident began about 9:45 a.m. when Irondale police officers spotted a vehicle with an expired tag. As they attempted to pull him over, he fled and struck another vehicle. At that point, said Det. Sgt. Michael Mangina, officers began to pursue the vehicle.

The chase lasted for nearly 30 minutes, several times entering and exiting the interstate. Mangina said the fleeing suspects hit three other vehicles during the pursuit.

The chase ended when the suspects crashed at 10:10 a.m. on Fifth Avenue South and Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard. Several vehicles were struck in that crash, including a Norton’s Florist delivery van. That driver was taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.

Irondale and Birmingham police, as well as Alabama State Troopers were on the scene. The male driver, his head bloodied from the wreck, was quickly handcuffed and taken into custody. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service had to extricate two others from the suspect vehicle.

A female was screaming in apparent pain and loaded onto a BFRS rescue truck for transport. The third suspect had to be extricated from the vehicle. First responders had to use a chain to move another car to get him out. He appeared unresponsive and authorities said his injuries could be critical.

Mangina said all three suspects are believed to have been under the influence of illegal substances. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released.