UPDATE: Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A man injured after a police chase in southeast Wichita overnight is expected to recover.

The chase began near Harry and Erie around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday. Police said an officer tried to stop a vehicle using bright lights, but the driver refused to stop.

The pursuit ended minutes later after the driver lost control, hit a curb and struck a tree.

The 54-year-old man was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Authorities said his condition has since improved.

Investigators believe alcohol played a factor in the crash.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A man was taken to a Wichita hospital after a brief chase with police ended in a crash early this morning.

The crash happened about 12:15 a.m. at the intersection of Mount Vernon and Clifton in southeast Wichita. Police say the driver was involved in a short chase with officers, which began near Harry and Erie.

That chase came to an end when the suspect's car hit a curb at a t-intersection and then crashed into a tree. The tree then hit a utility pole and blew out a transformer, knocking out power to the area.

The man in the car was taken to Wesley Medical Center with critical injuries. Crews from Westar Energy had power to the area restored about an hour after the crash.