Police: McKees Rocks man flees hospital after leading officers on 90 mph chase in Penn Hills
Police are searching for a McKees Rocks man who fled from a hospital after leading officers on a chase and crashing his SUV in Penn Hills on Saturday.
Mark Clements III, 19, is charged with reckless driving, careless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude police, resisting arrest and five related counts after police say he led officers on a chase in Penn Hills and neighboring communities before having a rollover crash in front of a business at the busy intersection of Coal Hollow and Verona roads.
Clements was taken into custody after the crash and then to UPMC Mercy for a reported back injury. Penn Hills Police Chief Howard Burton said Clements fled from the hospital and remained at large Monday.
Saturday’s chase began after Burton said officers spotted an SUV near the intersection of Robinson and Frankstown roads in Penn Hills. The vehicle matched the description of an SUV believed to be near the scene where an 11-year-old child was shot in Pittsburgh on Friday.
The child was taken to the hospital by family members and was in stable condition. No charges have been filed in that case.
Officers said Clements’ SUV had a black bag covering the passenger side window, indicating it was either broken or did not work. Clements sped off when police initiated a traffic stop.
Burton said the chase reached speeds of about 90 mph. Clements drove down Coal Hollow Road toward Verona Road, passing cars stopped at a red light and hitting a vehicle that was coming through the intersection.
The driver of the vehicle that was hit was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Burton said Clements refused to get out of the SUV after the crash or comply with officers until a K-9 unit arrived.
Anyone with information about Clements’ whereabouts is asked to call 911.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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