Escaped inmate injured in motorcycle crash

SAND SPRINGS, Okla. (AP) – Oklahoma authorities say an escaped inmate is in critical condition after wrecking a stolen motorcycle during a police chase.

Sapulpa Police say the chase began Thursday night near Sand Springs when an officer spotted 37-year-old Ronald Thomas, who authorities say escaped from a minimum security prison in McAlester Monday.

Officers say Thomas led them on a chase that reached speeds of more than 100 mph. They say the chase ended when he rear-ended a pickup truck and was thrown from the motorcycle.

He suffered multiple injuries to his head and chest and was taken to a Tulsa hospital in critical condition.

KOTV-TV reports Thomas was serving a 20-year sentence out of Washington County for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was scheduled to be released in 2030.