A driver who led police on a high-speed chase Thursday morning was seriously injured after crashing his car and getting thrown from his vehicle.

The chase began in Crystal at about 2 a.m. and ended in Golden Valley, where the unidentified driver rolled his car after hitting a curb, a stop sign and a large park sign, Golden Valley police said.

The driver was taken to North Memorial Medical Center, where he was treated for serious injuries, Crystal police said.

Authorities said the incident began when Crystal police, working on a drunken-driving enforcement effort, tried to pull the driver over for an apparent violation on Bass Lake Road.

Crystal police are continuing to investigate why the driver fled, eventually making his way south on Winnetka Avenue. Some news reports estimated speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, but Crystal police said they could not confirm that.

The chase ended in Golden Valley at the entrance to Brookview Park, just south of Hwy. 55, police said.

Investigators said the driver hit curbs, then a street sign and finally crashed into the entrance sign to Brookview Park.

No one else was injured, said Sgt. Mark Peterson of the Crystal Police Department.

HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA