MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — A 35-year-old man is dead after a crash following a police chase in Middletown.

According to police, an officer attempted to pull the driver over in the area of Cottage Street and Railroad Avenue.

Officers say he sped away, then it appears he lost control of the vehicle at the corner of Academy and Sterling Streets, slamming into a telephone pole and empty house.

Witnesses who spoke with Spectrum News say they tried to help when they heard the crash, but say he was not wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene.

“He had a very light pulse when I had the officer check his pulse. You could tell he wasn't going to survive the incident, he hit very hard, he hit the steps of the house and they're made out of cement so the impact hit very hard,” said Middletown resident Raymond Rosa.

The victim's name is being withheld until police can identify his family.