17-Year-Old Driver of Stolen Pastor’s Van Dies in Crash

COLONIE, N.Y. (AP) — Police say a 17-year-old driver was killed over the weekend when a pastor's van that was reported stolen a week earlier crashed into a utility pole in upstate New York.

Colonie police say Akbar Perkins died when the Ford Freestar hit the pole and flipped over early Sunday. Police say Schenectady County sheriff's deputies tried to stop the vehicle but it's unclear whether they were in pursuit of the van at the time of the crash.

Investigators say the Schenectady boy died at the scene and two passengers were taken to a hospital with injuries that aren't life-threatening.

The van's owner, Pastor Dwight Moore of the Clifton Park Assembly of God Church, says he's heartsick over the death. His wife's car was also stolen and hasn't been recovered.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]