NEW GARDEN — Three people are dead after Pennsylvania State Police chased a vehicle for more than three miles from Avondale Borough into New Garden Township an hour after midnight Friday.

“It is a tragedy,” said Avondale Mayor Susan Rzucidlo. “Lives were lost. We send our condolences to the families. It is heartbreaking.”

The fleeing vehicle, with one driver and two passengers, crashed into a barren tree just past Sunny Dell Road on Route 41. Police said all three people died. No police officers were hurt.

The crash took place less than two miles from the Delaware state line in New Castle near Hockessin.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, at approximately 1:21 a.m. troopers from the Troop J, the Avondale station in London Grove Township, attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle.

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