A 22-year-old Berrien County man is dead after the vehicle he was driving crashed into a tree while he was fleeing police early Monday morning.

Harold Darnel-Levon Johnson, of Benton Harbor, was transported to the hospital and later died, according to Michigan

State Police.

The incident occurred at 12:13 a.m. when troopers from the Michigan State Police Niles Post stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Foster Street off Pipestone Road in Benton Harbor.

As troopers exited their vehicle, the driver fled the scene. The troopers returned to the patrol car, activated the lights and siren and initiated a pursuit.

After six and a half blocks, the fleeing driver lost control and crashed into a tree on Pearl Street. The duration of the pursuit was approximately 50 seconds.

Johnson was not wearing a seatbelt and it is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.

The reason Johnson fled is unknown, but state police said he had six outstanding arrest warrants, including failing to appear in court on charges of operating without security, operating while intoxicated and driving on a suspended license.

According to the Michigan State Police, its members receive specific pursuit training and follow the department’s pursuit policy that requires the officer to consider factors including the presence of pedestrians and traffic conditions, population density in the area and roads and weather conditions when deciding to initiate or continue a pursuit.

During this pursuit, there were no other vehicles or pedestrians present on the roadway.