Police issue warrant for man accused of crashing into Vanderbilt Post Office
Zach Petroff | Herald-Standard
A Dunbar man wanted for allegedly crashing into the Vanderbilt Post Office should be considered dangerous, a state police spokesperson said.
Police said Justin Lee Martin, 45, fled from troopers “at a high rate of speed,” when they tried to pull him over for having an inoperable brake light around 1:30 a.m. April 15.
According to a complaint, filed April 29, Martin ran a stop sign at the intersection of Upper Sandy Hollow and Lower Sandy Hollow roads in Dunbar Township, then turned right onto Walnut Street, where he switched off the lights of his truck.
Police said they momentarily lost sight of Martin’s vehicle before it crashed into the Vanderbilt Post Office at 282 Liberty St. The impact left a gaping hole in the front of the building, and Martin fled the scene.
Witnesses reported that before hitting the post office, Martin hit a fence and at least two parked vehicles along Walnut Street and traveled through a resident’s backyard.
Last week, a postal inspector general said there is no estimated date for when the Vanderbilt Post Office will again serve customers.
Residents who used that post office have been directed to use the post office located at 101 Railroad St, Dawson. That post office in Dawson is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
State police public information officer Trooper Kalee Barnhart asked anyone with information on Martin’s whereabouts to contact state police at 724-439-7111.
Martin is charged with fleeing or eluding police, evading detention on foot and accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property.