STAFFORD, N.Y. -- Both directions of the New York State Thruway were closed for several hours as law enforcement agencies tried to reach out to an emotionally disturbed person who led police on a chase.

State Police said an Amherst man refused to pull over when troopers attempted a traffic stop. A New York Courts official has since identified the man as John Pezzino, a sergeant with the Erie County Courthouse.

The Thruway was closed between the Batavia and Rochester/LeRoy (Interstate 490) exits after 1:30 p.m. Monday. All traffic was diverted off of the highway and a helicopter was circling overhead.

After negotiations that took hours, deputies in Genesee County said the situation was over, with Pezzino surrendering peacefully and then taken by ambulance to the hospital for evaluation.