His friends pleaded with him to pull over, told him to stop the car.

But Michael Geisen II reportedly told his friends a police chase would be fun. So the 22-year-old Toledo man, driving a red 1989 Nissan, led police Sgt. Thomas LaForge on a chase through West Toledo. The chase ended just moments before Mr. Geisen's car, which was traveling at an "extremely high rate of speed," went over railroad tracks on North Detroit Avenue, went airborne, and crashed into the front of a home, police Chief Mike Navarre said.

Mr. Geisen was ejected from the vehicle and died instantly. His friends, Kendal Thorn, 22, of Toledo and Daniel Clapsaddle, 20, of Millbury were also ejected from the vehicle. As of Saturday night, Mr. Thorn was in fair condition and Mr. Clapsaddle was in critical condition, both at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, according to a hospital spokesman.

A preliminary autopsy showed that Mr. Geisen died of multiple injuries, Lucas County Deputy Coroner Dr. Cynthia Beisser said.

Mr. Geisen and his friends were gathered near the Hoffman Road landfill, a site that has been known to have problems with drag racing, according to police. Just before 2:30 a.m., Sergeant LaForge arrived at a lot near the landfill where about 20 cars were gathered and turned on his marked police cruiser's overhead lights, Chief Navarre said. Most of the cars started to drive off, but Mr. Geisen started to do doughnuts — intentionally spinning his car in circles — in front of the officer, Chief Navarre said.

The sergeant started to pursue Mr. Geisen's vehicle and thought to let him go until the young man reportedly ran a red light at Matzinger Road and Stickney Avenue, Chief Navarre said. The chase continued to North Detroit and the sergeant, realizing that Mr. Geisen was heading toward Michigan, radioed into dispatch that he was cutting off the pursuit, the chief said.

But Mr. Geisen continued, and he was driving fast — very fast. Out of sight of the sergeant, the Nissan crossed over the triple set of railroad tracks and went airborne for at least 100 feet before crashing into the front of 6111 North Detroit, the chief said, breaking through brick and window.

Lonny Ebersole, who lives at the address with his wife and two children, said they were about 10 minutes into a movie in a room in the back of the house when they heard the crash. Mr. Ebersole put on his shoes and went outside.

It was a nightmare.

The red Nissan, hardly recognizable, was split in two. Mr. Geisen's body was near the road, between a utility pole and a mailbox. He said he knew right away the young man was dead. The back end of the car landed two doors down near Mr. Clapsaddle, who was underneath a truck parked in the driveway. Mr. Ebersole said he never saw Mr. Thorn.

"It was horrific," Mr. Ebersole said.

Chief Navarre said Mr. Thorn was able to talk to police when they arrived and while he was en route to the hospital. He reportedly told police he asked Mr. Geisen to pull over.

The chief said Mr. Geisen was driving with a suspended license, which may have been one reason he fled from police. There were no active arrest warrants for Mr. Geisen.

He had been in trouble before, mostly for traffic violations, according to Toledo Municipal Court records.

In 2008, he was found guilty of reasonable and ordinary control and, in 2010, was found guilty of speeding — going 40 mph in a 25-mph zone. A second 2010 case, this time for reckless operation, was dismissed.

The sergeant involved in the pursuit was taking his regularly scheduled two days off work Saturday and Sunday, Chief Navarre said.

"I told him if he needs additional time off, by all means, take it," Chief Navarre said. "I would certainly encourage him to. This is a tough situation when a young person loses their life like this. Senselessly, but not through any action of the officer, but by his own actions.

"That's a pretty heavy burden that weighs on a police officer's mind," the chief said.

The department's policy states that officers should weigh the importance of arresting the individual in the pursuit against how dangerous the chase is. In this instance, the sergeant decided it was too dangerous and pulled back.

"Clearly the officer did nothing wrong," Chief Navarre said. "I'll tell you, he feels terrible. He feels absolutely terrible."

Mr. Ebersole said Mr. Geisen's friends and family stopped by the crash site all day Saturday. A piece of cardboard attached to a utility pole across the street became a memorial message board for family and friends.

"You were a awesome guy, y does this have to be you!" one message read.