High-Speed Chase Ends in Fiery Crash -- and Police Did the One Thing They Should Have

A high-speed chase in Brookhaven, Ga., Saturday ended with a stolen car wrapped around a telephone pole, the suspect trapped and the car on fire.

Without skipping a beat, the pursuing cops sprang into action.

Officers in dashcam video run to the smoking vehicle and with batons break open a window to not only save the suspect but an injured dog as well, WXIA-TV reported.

Image source: WXIA-TV

The incident occurred on a busy road after an officer tried to pull over 28-year-old Donald Miles, running the plates on the car as stolen. Miles took off for more than three miles, driving dangerously in between cars and running red lights before he crashed.

Officers rescued Miles and the dog from the passenger side of the car. According to WXIA, the man was taken the hospital in serious condition.

Image source: WXIA-TV

Image source: WXIA-TV

"I think when you see the video that there's no question he was probably about 60 seconds from burning up in that car," Brookhaven Police Deputy Chief Ron Freeman told the news station.

Watch the footage from a police car's dashboard camera:

Inside the car, police also found a handgun and ammunition.

Miles was charged with theft, fleeing police and violating a ban on firearm possession as a convicted felon, among other charges.

According to the Brookhaven Post, the dog was taken to a local veterinarian.

This story has been updated.