DAYTON — Authorities are investigating a crash at the intersection of North Gettysburg and Hoover avenues on Wednesday morning that involved a man who was being followed by an undercover Montgomery County sheriff’s deputy.

According to Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl, a 22-year-old man was rushed into surgery at Miami Valley Hospital after suffering head injuries in the collision. At the time, he was being followed by an undercover deputy sheriff for Montgomery County. The man has not been publicly identified.

Biehl said he could not comment on why the man was being followed because “that is part of an ongoing investigation.”

Sheriff’s office officials also declined to comment.

The man was in a 2012 Jeep Compass traveling at high speed south on Gettysburg in the area of James H. McGee Boulevard around 9 a.m. It ran a red light at the Hoover intersection and was hit by a Chevrolet Impala.

The crash knocked off the Jeep’s wheels, broke out its windows and twisted its entire frame.

It was unclear whether the man was aware he was being followed, but Biehl said it was likely.

“At some point in time, I’m pretty certain he was being followed,” he said. “The question is, did he (speed) away at a high rate of speed at that time or not?”

Two adults in the Impala were transported to a hospital for precautionary reasons.

The undercover deputy sheriff was not injured.

Biehl said the man being followed did not have a current license and is under multiple suspensions. “Multiple” cellphones and money were found inside the Jeep, according to Biehl.

Martha Tigner was working at a nearby day care center when she heard tires squeal and then heard the crash. She said her mind immediately turned to the children.

“I was worried about it running into the building,” she said. “It was close. I said, ‘Please don’t hit this building.’ ”

Authorities are continuing the traffic investigation, which Biehl said may take a few weeks. Area speed cameras will be utilized, he said.

Once the investigation is completed, the case will likely be presented to the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office to determine possible charges against the man.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6983 or andrew.sedlak@coxinc.com.