BENTON, N.Y. — The man charged after a wreck that killed five Amish farmers in upstate New York had served prison time after stealing a Rochester police cruiser and leading pursuers on a 20-minute chase in 2006.

Police said then that Steven Eldridge tried to back into the car during a traffic stop, struggled with an officer and then drove off in the cruiser. State records show he served 2 1/3 years in prison for auto theft.

Police say 42-year-old Eldridge was passing a slow moving tractor on a curve when he crashed into a van in Benton, 43 miles southeast of Rochester. He’s facing homicide and drunken driving charges.

The group of 13 Amish farmers in the van and their driver were touring farms in the Finger Lakes region Tuesday afternoon.