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GREENSBORO — Two teenagers were taken to the hospital after crashing a stolen SUV during a pursuit this morning, police said.

The incident began Tuesday morning when a 1997 Ford Expedition was stolen from a home on Triston Drive after the owner started the engine to warm the vehicle.

An officer later spotted the vehicle, but the driver didn't stop and a chase began.The SUV, which was on a straight-away, began swerving before the driver lost control and flipped near Glendale Drive and Rehobeth Church Road.

Police identified the driver as Eric Maurice Medley, 18, of Greensboro and his passenger as Katrina Douglas, 17, of Greensboro. Both were ejected from the SUV, which was a total loss, during the crash.

They were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries that are not life threatening. Charges are pending.

People shouldn't leave their cars unattended, police chief Ken Miller said. Even if you can see the car, someone can get in it and take off before you have a chance to stop them.

This is the second chase police have been involved in over the past month involving a vehicle stolen when the owner left a car unattended while warming it up.

"If you must warm up (your car) up, lock it while it's warming up," said Lt. T.L. Callicutt. "Keep your car close to your house and don't go to the street to warm it up.

"But the best thing to do is wrap up in extra clothing and peel off a layer after it's warm."

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com