staten island felon hit with drug charges after chase ends with crash into Mariners Harbor light pole, cops say

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Drugs and driving don’t mix, especially when the motorist is a convicted felon who’s allegedly trying to elude cops.

Richard Jackson Jr., 36, of Corson Avenue, Tompkinsville, was busted early Wednesday morning after leading officers on a wild chase, allege prosecutors.

According to court papers, cops tried to pull Jackson over for driving with a defective brake light.

The suspect zoomed off, hitting speeds of 60 mph in a posted 35-mph zone. He ran "multiple" red lights before crashing into a light pole on Lake Avenue and Walker Street, Mariners Harbor, said police.

Cops found 17 small plastic bags containing crack cocaine on the front driver’s seat, said court papers. A check of state Department of Motor Vehicles records revealed Jackson has multiple open license suspensions, said prosecutors.

Jackson was charged with felony and misdemeanor counts of drug possession. He’s also accused of unlawful fleeing and aggravated unlicensed vehicle operation.

Jackson was previously convicted in an unrelated case of felony attempted drug possession, show online records of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. He was sentenced to two years in prison and released on parole in August 2007.