Joe Nixon Of The Morning Call
January 19, 2001, Friday Third Edition
Copyright 2001 The Morning Call, Inc.
The Morning Call (Allentown)
January 19, 2001, Friday Third Edition
(ALLENTOWN, Penn.) -- An admitted crack cocaine user led Easton police on a chase into Wilson early Thursday and was caught after jumping from his moving car, police said.
Two Easton police officers were injured when their cars collided at 14th and Ferry streets in the city as they responded. Both officers, Lt. Michael Orchulli and Patrolman Thomas Migliore, were taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill, where they were treated and released.
Police said the driver of the fleeing car, Roger A. Johnson, 32, of the first block of N. Locust Street, Easton, jumped from his car near 16th and Pine streets in Wilson. The vehicle ran over his foot and continued, driverless, across Northampton Street, where it hit a sign.
Johnson was arrested in the 1600 block of Pine Street, according to an arrest affidavit. Wilson police assisted, city Detective Lt. Steven Parkansky said.
According to the affidavit, the events started about 2:40 a.m. when police saw Johnson turn without using a signal. Johnson was stopped in the 100 block of S. Sixth Street, but as an officer approached, Johnson drove away.
The affidavit said Johnson drove through a red light at Sixth and Northampton streets, nearly hit a patrol car, then drove on the wrong side of the street to avoid police and fled west on Northampton Street at speeds exceeding 80 mph.
Police allege Johnson disregarded numerous stop signs while fleeing and drove the wrong way on one-way streets.
He was arraigned late Thursday morning before District Justice Gay Elwell of Easton and committed to Northampton County Prison under $25,000 bail.
He is charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, escape, possession of drug paraphernalia and numerous motor vehicle code violations, including driving under suspension and reckless driving.
Johnson told Elwell he is unemployed and lives with his mother in public housing. He said he served prison time in Northampton County for a burglary and in Lehigh County for assault and recklessly endangering another person. He told Elwell he was a daily crack cocaine user and admitted having used cocaine Wednesday night.
Parkansky said both injured officers received cuts. Both are off the job because of their injuries, and he said it is not known when they will return. Migliore’s patrol dog was taken to a veterinary hospital for examination.
Easton Police Chief Larry Palmer said two police vehicles, a sport utility and a patrol car equipped for the dog, were severely damaged.