Authorities: Man driving drunk with toddler in car hit Pittsburgh police cruiser, other cars

A 43-year-old Sheraden man appeared drunk and was driving with a child in his SUV when he was stopped by police after a chase Wednesday evening through several East End neighborhoods, according to police.

The girl wasn’t secured in a car seat, police said. She was evaluated at UPMC Children’s Hospital, wasn’t hurt and was released to her mother.

The chase started when Mario Plowden crashed the black Dodge Durango he was driving into an unmarked Pittsburgh police vehicle after going through a stop sign on North Fairmount and Columbo streets in Garfield, according to a criminal complaint filed against him.

Three police officers were in the vehicle, and as they approached the SUV, Plowden drove off. Two police officers had to jump out of the way so they didn’t get hit, according to the complaint.

Plowden crashed into two other vehicles in the chase, and he forced other vehicles off the road. He was ultimately stopped on King Avenue in Highland Park, according to the complaint.

Plowden, who told police he’d been drinking, smelled of alcohol but refused a blood test, according to the complaint.

Plowden was charged with 11 criminal offenses, including endangering the welfare of a child, driving under the influence, fleeing from police, recklessly endangering another person, driving with a suspended license and aggravated assault. He also was charged with 20 vehicle code violations.

Michael DiVittorio and Tony LaRussa are Tribune-Review staff writers. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MikeJdiVittorio. You can contact Tony at 724-772-6368, tlarussa@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TonyLaRussaTrib. Staff writer Tom Davidson contributed.