Greensburg man sentenced for Hempfield police chase

A Greensburg man pleaded guilty Tuesday to aggravated assault of a police officer following a car chase last year.

William J. Binnall, 39, was trying to avoid arrest after police stopped his vehicle near Locust Valley Drive in Hempfield on May 22 because of an expired registration. Police said Binnall, who was wanted for outstanding arrest warrants and was unlicensed to drive because of a prior drunk driving conviction, refused to get out of his vehicle and fled the scene.

Police pursued and Binnall avoided two road blocks before hitting a state police cruiser at a third attempted stop, according to court records. The pursuit ended after Binnall drove off the road and into a grassy area near Old Route 66. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, police found two hypodermic needles, numerous empty stamp bags of heroin, a wooden marijuana pipe and a small bag containing marijuana in Binnall’s car.

In court on Tuesday, Binnall pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault, fleeing from police, driving under the influence of a controlled substance and other related offenses. He was sentenced by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger to serve 11 1/2-to-23 months in jail and five additional years on probation. Binnall’s driver’s license will suspended for an additional 18 months.