Police: Penn Hills man endangered other motorists during rush-hour chase

A Penn Hills driver almost hit a Port Authority bus and posed a risk to numerous motorists during Monday’s afternoon rush hour in Plum, according to police.

Isaiah Devin Goodwin, 19, of Main Street, is accused of leading police on a chase that started around 6 p.m. as he was driving a stolen SUV.

The chase stretched 3 to 5 miles but lasted only minutes, at times reaching speeds of 80 mph with Goodwin dangerously weaving in and out of traffic, Plum police Lt. Lanny Conley said Tuesday afternoon.

Police said the chase started after a Plum officer saw Goodwin on Logans Ferry Road in the borough’s Holiday Park neighborhood, where a house robbery had just been reported by 911.

An officer said he saw Goodwin drive through a stop sign without stopping, so the officer tried to pull him over.

Instead, police said Goodwin sped on Logans Ferry Road and along several roads leading in and out of Monroeville before heading back back into Plum.

Conley said Goodwin almost hit a Port Authority bus and other vehicles at Old Frankstown Road and Route 286 and dangerously crossed into lanes of oncoming traffic to pass before his vehicle hit another car on Center Road.

The chase continued onto Wimbledon Road and finally onto Justine Drive before the SUV hit a tree.

That’s where Goodwin ditched the SUV and tried to hide in a house, Conley said.

The SUV was abandoned near a house in the 700 block of DeHaviland Drive. Police said they found Goodwin hiding under the covers of a bed in the house’s basement.

He is facing charges of receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, fleeing and attempting to elude police, driving with a suspended license and not obeying traffic signs.

Goodwin was being held in Allegheny County Jail after failing to post $20,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 15.