ARNOLD, Md. (AP) - A Delaware man allegedly under the influence of PCP was arrested by state police after a 50-mile chase around the Annapolis area.
George W. Ritter, 46, of Millsboro, Del., was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, assault using a vehicle and other offenses.
The chase early Sunday began in Parole after a Maryland trooper tried to pull over Ritter’s car for a seat belt violation.
State Police Sgt. William McMeins said Ritter reached speeds of up to 120 mph, ran vehicles off the road and tried to ram police cars that joined the chase. At one point, Ritter came close to striking pedestrians as he drove the wrong way around State and Church circles in downtown Annapolis, McMeins said.
McMeins said he disabled Ritter’s vehicle - bumping the car and causing it to spin out of control - as Ritter drove the wrong way up Maryland 2 near Arnold, just north of Annapolis.
Police said Ritter suffered minor injuries and was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center. Police said he tried to escape from the hospital before being taken to jail.
Delaware authorities said a warrant to appear was issued for Ritter after he failed to show up Monday in Sussex County Superior Court for a case review on unrelated charges of aggravated menacing and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.