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Chase, Crashes Jam Traffic On I-93, Zakim Bridge

BOSTON (CBS) – About 20 cars were hit over a ten-mile stretch of Interstate 93 during a low-speed chase at the height of rush hour Tuesday morning.

It began just before 7:30 a.m. when police tried to stop the driver of a green 1998 Toyota Avalon after it was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run on 93 south near Montvale Avenue in Woburn.

In a statement, police said the chase started at about 70 miles an hour, but "slowed considerably as it got into traffic on the highway" and the Avalon hit several vehicles.

"The Avalon entered and exited the HOV lane several times. At one point, the suspect vehicle struck the cruiser as it re-entered the HOV lane."

The pursuit ended when the Avalon stopped on the Zakim Bridge in Boston.

"The suspect vehicle struck approximately 20 vehicles during the pursuit. No injuries were reported other than that suffered by the suspect," police said.

They took him into custody, but have not released his name. He's described as a 47-year-old man from Lawrence who may have had a "medical condition."

All but one lane on the bridge was closed after the chase. Traffic was backed up for miles.

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