A Wednesday night chase ended when the driver of a Nissan Altima struck a tree on Daniels Street, causing the vehicle to burst into flames.

The occupants of the car bailed and fled through the woods, Detective Corey Dixon of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said.

The two occupants, described as black males, have not been located. It is believed, Dixon said, the men were using the car without permission of the owner.

The chase began sometime between 8:30 and 9 p.m. when a car moving at a high rate speed came up behind Dixon's patrol car with bright lights on at Julian Allsbrook Highway.

Dixon said he pulled over to allow the Nissan to pass him, and then followed the vehicle with blue lights on, the car going all over the roadway.

The vehicle ran a stop sign at Julian Allsbrook and Roanoke Avenue and headed to South Rosemary, where the driver ran a traffic light and turned onto Daniels Street. The vehicle crashed into a tree at the dead end of Daniels Street. Dixon checked the vehicle for signs of other occupants as it began to smoke.

It is unknown whether the occupants were injured from the crash. They were wearing white T-shirts, and Dixon believes they probably sustained scrapes as they fled into the woods.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.