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Cop chases, then saves Mastic man from car fire in Northampton

A 29-year-old Mastic man who led a Suffolk Police officer on a seven-mile chase Wednesday night was rescued from his burning car by that same officer after the suspect lost control and crashed into woods along Route 51 in Northampton, authorities said.

Officer Scott Jensen initially tried to stop Jason Martin’s 1999 Chrysler Concord about 11: 15 p.m. for driving erratically farther south on Route 51 in Eastport, police said. But Mr. Martin instead accelerated, leading a pursuit that lasted about five minutes and ended with Mr. Martin losing control in the northbound lanes, skidding along the pavement and  crashing into trees on the east side of the road, officials said.

The car then caught fire, with the front driver side door pinned against a tree. Officer Jensen pulled Mr. Martin through the passenger side doorr.

Mr. Martin, of 146 Madison Ave., was treated at Peconic Bay Medical Center for non-serious injuries and later charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and unlawful fleeing of a police officer. Officer Jensen was not injured during the pursuit or while rescuing Mr. Martin, officials said.