An Ashland man is facing charges after leading borough police in a pursuit on Sunday.
According to Ashland Police, on Sunday, June 26th, 2022 around 6:00pm, Borough Police Officer Andrew Weaver was on patrol and observed Joseph Schmidt Jr., 22, get into a GMC Sierra pickup truck and drive away from the 1300 Block of Walnut Street.
Officer Weaver recognized Schmidt after arresting him a month prior for driving with a suspended license. During that arrest, it was his 4th offense.
Officer Weaver initiated his emergency lights but Schmidt failed to stop. Schmidt began to flee traveling at a high rate of speed onto 13th Street to Spruce Street to 14th Street to to 15th Street and eventually to 19th Street.
Once on 19th Street, Schmidt drove at a high rate and went airborne while crossing Centre Street and almost colliding with two vehicles and narrowly missing people including children that were on the sidewalk.
Schmidt then drove to the Tri-State parking lot where he ditched the truck and fled on foot.
Butler Township Police arrived to assist but Schmidt had gotten away. A search of the area was done but Schmidt was unable to be found.
An hour later, Schmidt turned himself into police, admitted to the pursuit, and was taken into custody.
Officer Weaver charged Schmidt with felony fleeing and eluding police, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license (His 5th Offense).
Schmidt was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer who set bail at $10,000(10%).
Schmidt spent the night in Schuylkill Country Prison and posted bail Monday morning.