PORTSMOUTH — A Portsmouth police officer terminated an attempted traffic stop of a speeding car early Thursday morning, minutes before the same vehicle crashed about 3.4 miles away in Middletown, killing a child under the age of 3 and seriously injuring two adults, police said.

The crash occurred after the vehicle fled from a Portsmouth officer who had clocked it traveling 58 mph in a 45 mph zone on West Main Road, according to a statement released by Portsmouth police.

Middletown police later charged the driver, Jerry Bonilla, 32, of the Bronx, N.Y., with multiple offenses, including driving under the influence resulting in death.

The incident began at about 1:20 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, when a Portsmouth officer spotted a white sedan traveling south on West Main Road near Mill Lane.

After clocking the vehicle at 58 mph, the officer activated his cruiser’s emergency lights in an attempt to pull it over, police said.

The sedan initially slowed and moved toward the right side of the road as if preparing to stop. Instead, police said, the driver suddenly accelerated away.

The officer activated his siren and followed the car as it continued south on West Main Road. Police estimated the vehicle reached speeds of 80 to 90 mph and failed to stop.

The officer terminated the attempted traffic stop near West Main Road and Union Street “in accordance with department policy,” Portsmouth police said.

Middletown police were then notified that the vehicle was headed into their jurisdiction.

A short time later, Portsmouth police learned that the sedan had crashed near Linden Park in Middletown, approximately 3.4 miles from where the Portsmouth officer had stopped following it.

According to Middletown police, the car struck a stone wall and utility pole in front of Linden Park and was fully engulfed in flames when officers arrived.

Police were able to remove Bonilla and a front-seat passenger from the burning vehicle. A rear-seat passenger, a child under 3, could not be freed and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Middletown Fire Department extinguished the fire, and Bonilla and the other adult were transported to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries.

Portsmouth officers also responded to the crash scene and assisted Middletown police.

Bonilla was subsequently charged with driving under the influence of liquor or drugs resulting in death, first offense; driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury, first offense; driving to endanger resulting in death; and driving to endanger resulting in personal injury.

He was arraigned at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday and ordered held at the Adult Correctional Institutions on $500,000 surety bail.

The Rhode Island State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is assisting Middletown police with the investigation.

The crash remains under investigation.