GREENFIELD — A 35-year-old West Springfield man was transported by helicopter to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield with severe injuries Wednesday night after a 48-hour crime spree ended with a crash at the intersection of Main and High streets.

Although he has not yet been arrested as he’s being treated for his injuries, Police Chief Todd Dodge said Hector Luis Rivera Santiago Jr. will be charged with marked lanes violations, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, larceny of a motor vehicle (subsequent offense), operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license (subsequent offense), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and vandalism.

The crash, which occurred at approximately 10 p.m. Wednesday, followed a downtown police chase that Dodge said at one point reached speeds of 55 mph on a 25 mph portion of Main Street.

“I appreciate the officers’ discretion during the pursuit to back down. Ultimately, it ended in the way we hoped it would not, which was a crash and with injuries, but I can be certain and confident that the officers did the right thing and they started to back down on this pursuit relatively quick,” Dodge said Thursday morning. “It started at River Street, down Mohawk Trail, and they backed down by the time they hit the top of Mohawk Trail and Main Street.”

Dodge said police first encountered Rivera Santiago on Tuesday night after reports of lewd activity brought authorities to the vicinity of the parking lot between Chapman and Davis streets near the skate park. Upon arrival, Dodge said they found Rivera Santiago having “completely exposed intercourse” with another individual. When police discovered that Rivera Santiago had a warrant out for his arrest, he was taken into custody and released Wednesday morning.

According to Dodge, Rivera Santiago, on Wednesday, was involved in a physical altercation on Petty Plain Road and was hospitalized from injuries he sustained during the fight. Police Sgt. Todd Clark, earlier Wednesday evening, reportedly saw Rivera Santiago walking toward the Blessed Sacrament Church on Federal Street, where he allegedly stole a Chevrolet Silverado.

“The owner of that truck was actually with the truck. He was planning to do a church service, but he wasn’t ready to do it yet. … He was putting air in his tires and while doing so, the individual entered the truck and drove off in it,” Dodge explained. “The truck ended up fleeing out of the parking lot, up Mohawk Trail up to Main Street, traveling continuously at a high rate of speed. Officer [Patrick] Merrigan joined in. Both Sgt. Justin Purinton and Merrigan backed down, the truck hit the bump. ... The passenger side of the vehicle was seen flying into the air.”

Dodge said Rivera Santiago sped through downtown Greenfield, running a red light at the intersection of Federal and Main streets before he failed to “properly negotiate” the turn at Main and High streets. It was at that intersection that the Chevrolet Silverado collided with a white GMC commercial van. According to Dodge, the driver of the van was taken by ambulance to Baystate Franklin Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Emergency personnel with the Greenfield Fire and Police departments arrived at 10:07 p.m. After the two vehicles were towed, crews began collecting debris that was scattered across the intersection.

The intersection of Main and High streets reopened to traffic just after midnight.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.