PHOENIX -- A bank robbery suspect being chased by officers through several Phoenix-area suburbs crashed into an oncoming car, killing himself and the other driver, police said.

VIDEO: How The Bank Robbery Crash Occurred

The suspect robbed a Bank of America branch at gunpoint early Wednesday afternoon, then was chased through several cities east of Phoenix by numerous police officers, said Sgt. Mike Horn of the Tempe Police Department.

Speeds at one point reached 100 mph, police said. News Hawk 5 was above the chase as the suspect's vehicle weaved from freeway to freeway and onto Valley streets, putting dozens of lives into danger. At times he was even driving on the shoulder to get around other vehicles.

Officers staged at the Guadalupe underpass used stop sticks to get the driver to stop but he swerved right around them and kept going.

"We knew from the robbery that this individual had a firearm, was a very significant threat to the community," Sgt. Tim Mason of the Department of Public Safety said.

The suspect's vehicle slammed head-on into an oncoming car near McKellips Road and the Loop 101 freeway, about 10 miles from where the bank holdup had occurred.

News Hawk 5 images showed the crumpled wreckage of a small white sedan covered with a yellow tarp and the bandit's dark sedan with major damage.

Some white smoke is seen coming from the tires of the white sedan indicating he was trying to brake.

After the collision, dozens of officers were out of the patrol cars securing the scene and trying to see if they could help the victims. But it was too late.

"We've done a lot today to try and bring this to a peaceful resolution," Mason said. "Unfortunately, the suspect dictated otherwise."

The FBI said the suspect was wanted in connection with four Valley bank robberies, including the one on Wednesday at the Bank of America branch at 1820 W. Warner Road.

"I was standing by my truck," said Sam Stratton, who was in the parking lot. "He looked at me, very calmly opened his car door, put the money in, got in, and drove off."

Another witness said he was ready to take action.

"We were waiting for him to come out," said Ryan Higgins. "We thought about doing something about it, but they we heard he had a gun and said, 'Nevermind.'"

The armed robbery spree began on Nov. 20 when a gunman approached a teller at Washington Mutual Bank in Chandler and demanded money. He is believed to have struck again on Nov. 24 at a Wachovia branch bank in Mesa. On Dec. 3, police said the same suspect hit another Wachovia bank in Mesa.

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