A warrant has been issued for a Bloomsburg man who led State Police on a motorcycle pursuit through Schuylkill and Columbia Counties on Wednesday morning.
According to court papers filed by State Police Sgt. Thomas Hornung, Nathan Hays, 42, of Bloomsburg, faces 78 charges following the pursuit that began in Ashland. The charges include fleeing or attempting to elude police and numerous traffic violations.
The pursuit began just before 9:30 a.m. when Sgt. Hornung, on patrol in Ashland, observed a black motorcycle traveling through the intersection at Centre Street (Route 61) and 9th Street. Hays was later identified as the driver through the motorcycle's registration.
Sgt. Hornung followed as the motorcycle continued through numerous intersections, failing to stop at stop signs or use turn signals. Near 11th Street and Pine Street, Hays slowed the motorcycle to allow his female passenger to hop off, then continued to drive away.
Sgt. Hornung pursued Hays back to Centre Street/Route 61, then to Memorial Boulevard and into Columbia County. While traveling on Byrnesville Road near Centralia, Hays crossed into oncoming traffic on three occasions in an attempt to flee. He continued on Route 61 to Centralia, then onto northbound Route 42, hitting speeds in excess of 95 mph.
The pursuit continued through Aristes and Numidia until it was called off. Sgt. Hornung filed the charges through Judge Tarantelli's office, and a felony arrest warrant was issued. While the arrest warrant remains open for Hays, his motorcycle has been found and impounded by Bloomsburg Police.
Hays was also scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at Judge Tarantelli's on Wednesday, which he did not show up for.