Man sentenced in stolen taxi pursuit that struck multiple police vehicles in Somerset County
SOMERVILLE, N.J. (Somerset County) — A Brooklyn, New York, man has been sentenced to five years in state prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a 2025 high-speed pursuit in a stolen New York City taxicab that struck multiple New Jersey State Police vehicles, a Somerville police vehicle and a civilian vehicle, authorities said.
On June 29, Superior Court Judge Lance J. Kalik sentenced Ashton B. Charles, 31, to five years in New Jersey State Prison. Under the No Early Release Act, Charles must serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Charles pleaded guilty May 8 to five counts of second-degree causing injury while eluding or operating a stolen motor vehicle.
The charges stem from a June 1, 2025, pursuit that began after Charles allegedly stole a Toyota Sienna operating as a New York City yellow taxicab on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan at about 9:22 a.m.
Authorities said Charles drove the stolen vehicle through Manhattan and Brooklyn before crossing into New Jersey via the Goethals Bridge.
At approximately 11:15 a.m., Springfield Township police located the stolen taxi and attempted a traffic stop. According to authorities, Charles reversed the vehicle, striking an officer with the passenger-side mirror, before fleeing.
The pursuit continued onto Route 24 West and Interstate 287 South, where authorities said Charles drove at speeds reaching 100 mph, weaved through traffic, drove on the shoulder and nearly collided with a tractor-trailer.
After New Jersey State Police joined the pursuit, Charles allegedly continued fleeing through Bridgewater, Branchburg, Readington, Raritan Township and Flemington. Investigators said he drove through red lights, crossed grassy medians, knocked down a light pole and drove onto a residential lawn.
Authorities said Charles struck multiple New Jersey State Police vehicles while troopers attempted to stop the stolen taxi. He also struck a civilian’s vehicle before continuing onto Route 202.
Near the Somerville Circle, Charles allegedly struck additional State Police vehicles before entering Route 22 East, where the stolen taxi and several State Police vehicles lost control and crashed. The taxi then collided with a Somerville Police Department vehicle.
Charles was arrested at approximately 12:25 p.m. after attempting to flee on foot into a wooded area.
Authorities said the pursuit resulted in collisions involving multiple New Jersey State Police vehicles, a Somerville Police Department vehicle and a civilian vehicle. The injured state troopers, a Somerville police officer and the civilian all sustained relatively minor injuries.
The investigation involved the New Jersey State Police, the New York City Police Department, the Springfield Township Police Department, the Flemington Borough Police Department and the Somerville Borough Police Department.
