Man jailed after police pursuit
A Fayette County man carrying a stolen gun was jailed after leading state police on a pursuit through North Union Township during the early-morning hours Saturday. Derek J. Walker, 23, of Lemont Furnace was placed in Fayette County Prison after failing to post a $25,000 straight cash bond as a result of the alleged incident.
According to Cpl. Juan Curry, Trooper Douglas Rush had conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Yauger Hollow Road in an unrelated incident when Walker drove past Rush “at a high rate of speed” on an all-terrain vehicle at 12:02 a.m.
Curry said Walker drove within “close proximity” of Rush, and that Rush followed after the ATV. As Rush was searching for the ATV, Walker pulled out from a side street still driving the ATV and crashed into the front driver’s side of Rush’s police cruiser.
Neither Rush nor Walker was injured as a result of the crash, police said.
Following the collision, Walker fled the scene. Curry said that several troopers responded to the area and began searching for Walker.
Walker was located about 20 minutes later, Curry said, noting that a brief chase ensued.
Curry said that Walker lost control of his ATV, hit a brick wall and rolled the ATV.
Walker was found to be in possession of a stolen gun, Curry said.
Walker was charged with receiving stolen property, person not to possess a firearm, aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding police, reckless endangerment and several other traffic- and vehicle-related charges.
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr. and jailed, according to police.