Police say a woman struck a police officer with her car, then led authorities on a chase that ended in a crash in Fairfield.

Police say 23-year-old Blessing Smith led police on the chase from Trumbull to Fairfield at around noon Tuesday. Trumbull police say the chase started after Smith hit a female police officer.

Authorities say the officer was approaching Smith about a theft at the Westfield Trumbull mall. Police say she stole several thousand dollars' worth of items from the mall.

They say she struck the officer in the hand before leading them on a high-speed chase.

Police say that Smith made her way to Congress Street in Fairfield where she rear-ended a car and caused it to roll over. They say she crashed into a garage, and a third car coming from the opposite direction.

Officials say three people, including Smith and the officer, were taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. They say they found several thousand dollars' worth of merchandise in the car, from several different shops in the mall.

Smith posted $75,000 bond and is now facing more serious charges, including assaulting a police officer. She is expected to return to Bridgeport for her court appearance next week.