Police say a Rhode Island man led police on a chase on the New Jersey Turnpike with his dead wife in his trunk Saturday, and was later pronounced dead after apparently shooting himself.

The chase ended near mile marker 115 by Ridgefield Park, where traffic was shut down and diverted onto Route 80 for hours.

The suspect has been identified as 61-year-old Franklin Osgood, who was reportedly a former police officer in Providence, Rhode Island, according to published reports.

New Jersey state troopers say they attempted to pull Osgood over after he was reported armed and dangerous by Rhode Island police. They say he refused to pull over and eventually lost control of his car, veering off the road and striking a metal guard rail. He also struck a trooper's vehicle, police say.

When Osgood's vehicle came to a stop, troopers say they discovered that he had apparently shot himself. He was hospitalized, but was pronounced dead later Saturday evening.

After the chase, authorities say a search of his car led to the discovery of Osgood's deceased wife in the trunk. She has been identified as 55-year-old Mary Jo Osgood.

Police say a semi-automatic handgun was also found in the vehicle.

The Providence Journal reported that Osgood and his wife were reported missing Saturday by Osgood's daughter, who said he was distraught.

Providence police reportedly searched Osgood's garage Saturday evening and found enough evidence to treat it as a crime scene.