The Montgomery County Coroner's Office said this afternoon they have positively identified the man who died in a fiery crash while fleeing police in Red Hill as a 31-year-old man.

            Authorities said the deceased was Richard Scott Ferguson of Perkasie.  He was officially identified by scientific evidence Saturday, they said.  According to the office, an autopsy was performed April 3 and officials determined he died from smoke and soot inhalation in the aftermath of the crash. 

            According to an online obituary posted by Bernard Suess Funeral Home, Ferguson was the father of three children.  He reportedly worked as a machinist for a Harleysville company and was a 2002 graduate of Pennridge High School.  It describes him as a man who loved his children and dreamed of being a chef.

            A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. April 16 at the Bernard Suess Funeral Home, 606 Arch Street, Perkasie.  Interment will be held privately, according to the obituary.

            State police said Ferguson was pinned in a silver Volkswagen Passat after it erupted in flames following a collision with two utility poles in the area of 246 Main Street.  He was allegedly fleeing a Marlborough Township police officer, whom authorities said clocked his vehicle going 105 mph northbound on Route 29 in Marlborough Township.

            Tpr. Dean Wright, of PA State Police, Skippack barracks said the Marlborough Township officer observed the driver weaving in and out of traffic and "dangerously passing vehicles" at extremely high speeds.  Troopers said the officer activated his lights and siren and pursued the vehicle, while in contact with Montgomery County dispatchers.

            Authorities said the officer terminated the pursuit in the area of Walters Road and Route 29, near the Upper Hanover Township line.  As he continued northbound, the officer reportedly observed what appeared to be a large explosion, police said, in Red Hill. 

            Troopers said the Volkswagen hit a Verizon utility pole on the west side of Main Street and burst into flames.  While on fire, police said the vehicle traveled another 1,200 feet and impacted street signs and a PP&L utility pole on the east sidewalk.

            The Marlborough officer quickly responded and discovered the driver, who was conscious, was pinned in the vehicle, police said.  The officer attempted to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher but was unable to rescue the driver after several attempts. 

            The officer suffered severe smoke inhalation, authorities said, and was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest for treatment by Harleysville Area EMS.  He was treated and released, according to Marlborough Township Police.

Upper Perk Police also assisted at the location.

            Red Hill Fire Company responded to the scene and extinguished the fire, police said.  They were assisted by Pennsburg fire personnel.  Two homes suffered damage from the flames.  First responders at the location said one of the homes' vinyl siding had melted from the heat of the fire. 

            Ambulances from Upper Perkiomen, Harleysville and Gilbertsville also responded.

            Fire police from at least six companies, including Red Hill, Pennsburg, Green Lane, Hereford, Upper Salford and Seisholtzville also responded and closed Main Street from 6^th Street to 2^nd Street while police conducted an investigation.  

            Main Street was reopened around 7:30 a.m.

No license plate/registration was on the vehicle at the time of the collision and authorities said they also couldn't locate a vehicle identification number (VIN) on the car.  No identification was found for the driver, according to authorities.