A Philadelphia man is facing charges after leading police in a high-speed pursuit in West Penn Township earlier this week.
According to West Penn Township Police, on Monday, January 16, 2023, Township Police stopped a Black Chrysler 300 for suspended registration and insurance cancellation.
As the Police approached, the vehicle proceeded to flee at a high rate of speed. The vehicle exceeded 90 miles per hour and crashed into a guard rail, retaining wall, and trash cans.
The driver then continued back onto West Penn Pike (Route 309) and proceeded to speed away from the accident leaving a trail of auto parts all over the roadway.
The perpetrator continued to flee at a high rate of speed until a large trail of black smoke discharged from the exhaust and the vehicle’s hood flew up in front of the windshield.
The vehicle stopped in a ditch at the intersection of West Penn Pike and Bolich Road.
The driver was ordered to exit the vehicle.
A search found drugs and considerable damage was imposed on the property of 2003 West Penn Pike.
The driver of the vehicle, Damian Lamar Johnson, 28 of Philadelphia, was taken into custody and committed to the Schuylkill County prison in lieu of $25,000 straight bail.
West Penn Township Police charged Johnson with Misuse Plate, Fleeing and Eluding, Escape, Possession of Marijuana, Reckless Driving, Accidents Invovling Damage to Attended Property, and Operating a Vehicle without a Financial Responsibility card.
Johnson was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli who set bail at $25,000 straight cash bail and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison.
On January 17th, 2023, he was released after posting bail through a bondsman.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Andrew J. Serina on January 24th, 2023.