Crime & Safety
Police Vehicle Struck During Car Chase
A weekday morning car chase in Falls Township ended with one man in jail.
A New Jersey man lead Falls Township officers on a pursuit Tuesday morning after they noticed the vehicle he was driving was stolen.
George Lewis, 46, of Trenton, N.J., was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property, fleeing and eluding police, recklessly endangering another person and various traffic violations
A pursuit started after an officer tried to stop the car on Tyburn Road after realizing it was reported stolen out of Hamilton, N.J., police said.
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The pursuing officer stated in an affidavit of probable cause that the stolen 2012 Honda Civic began to accelerate toward New Falls Road at around 9:30 a.m. after spotting the police vehicle’s overheard red and blue lights. The Honda accelerated even more as the officer put on his audible siren, court documents state.
The chase continued through the streets of Fallsington, which all have a speed limit of 25 MPH. The fleeing vehicle was traveling at speeds that topped 50 MPH, blowing several stop signs, police said.
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An assisiting officer set up his patrol vehicle on Lower Morrisville Road to attempt to stop the stolen car from speeding toward residential developments, police said. According to the affidavit, the fleeing car “briefly lost control” due to speed and roadway conditions. The car struck the front right portion of the police car and just missed a civilian vehicle.
As the chase proceeded on Lower Morrisville Road toward Route 13, an officer was able to deploy speed sticks. The speed sticks, which carry spikes and allow for a controlled deflation of tires, worked and three of the tires were blown, police said. The Honda continued with three flats and traveled onto Newbold Road, where control was finally lost and the stolen car ended up against a curb, court documents state.
“The operator showed complete disregard for the rules of the road, the safety of he and his passengers, officers involved and other citizens of the highway,” police said in court documents.
The car had four occupants and only Lewis, who was determined to be driving, was charged, Lt. Hand Ward said.
Lewis is currently being held in county jail on 10 percent of $250,000 bail.
