Charges filed in high-speed pursuit after Jeep plows into North Union home
A driver was arrested after he allegedly fled police through many miles of Fayette County and drove his Jeep Cherokee through the living room of an occupied North Union Township house.
State police said Daniel T. Williams, 34, of Brownsville intentionally hit a police vehicle that was pursuing him, injuring the troopers inside.
Troopers Steven Moyemont and Adam Kezmarsky began the pursuit on Redstone Way at about 6 p.m. Wednesday. Police said the Jeep had an “extremely loud muffler.” They turned their unmarked police vehicle without activating their emergency lights, and Williams allegedly increased speed and turned into a no-turn lane to pass cars, according to court documents.
The troopers activated the emergency lights and pursued Williams from Redstone Way to Route 40, where he reportedly passed cars at speeds between 70 and 100 miles per hour. Police said he continued through Menallen Township and threw a yellow bag out his window.
He nearly hit a trooper who was placing tire deflating strips near Ed & Mark’s Locksmith in Menallen Township, according to court documents.
The chase continued through South Union Township where the Jeep went airborne after hitting a median at the intersection of Route 40 and Mall Run Road. Police said he ran a red light at the five corners intersection in Uniontown, then spun out at the intersection of Route 40 and Main Street. Police said he then intentionally backed into the pursuit vehicle. The police car became inoperable due to damage from the crash, court documents said.
Another police cruiser continued the chase through North Union Township, where Williams was driving 95 miles per hour on Hopwood Coolspring Road, police said. He turned into a grassy area at Jumonville-Coolspring Road and “continued sliding out of control,” hitting a residence at 291 Jumonville-Coolspring Road. “The Jeep went entirely into the living room of the residence,” police wrote in court paperwork.
Daniel and Jarred Carnack were home when the Jeep plowed through their house, but were uninjured, police said.
Police found Williams had an active arrest warrant in Fayette County. His license was suspended for driving under the influence, they said.
Moyemont reported his right hip and left knee were hurt in the crash with the Jeep. Kezmarsky reported he struck his head, causing pain, court documents indicate.
State police Trooper Robert Broadwater said the injuries the troopers suffered were minor. They did not require hospital transport or time off work.
Williams is charged with aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude officers, flight to avoid apprehension, two counts each of recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and accidents involving death or personal injury, in addition to 18 traffic citations.
He was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. Shimshock and lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $200,000 bond.
His preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for 9 a.m. July 19 before Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr.