ST. LOUIS – FOX 2 was at the intersection of Route 3 and Monsanto, where a high-speed police pursuit ended in a fiery crash that claimed two lives thursday afternoon. 

While police have not yet confirmed the identities of the deceased, friends of the suspects told FOX 2 who they believe was behind the wheel.

Cahokia Heights police say around 12:15 p.m., they responded to a report of an armed robbery and shots fired on Cahokia Street.

Officers later spotted a GMC Truck matching the suspect description and tried to pull it over. But the vehicle sped off—and minutes later, it had collided with a tractor-trailer right here, bursting into flames.

Friends say Dean Walthes was the one driving and owned the truck. Mike Hamilton, originally from St. Louis, had lost his wife just last year.

Cahokia Heights Police, Illinois State Police, and Accident Reconstruction teams are investigating. Officials say they have more information about the robbery but are withholding it to protect the integrity of the case.