A Madison man is accused of leading police on a 9½-mile chase Saturday with an open bottle of vodka in his car, according to arrest papers.
Brian Allen Smith, 47, allegedly caused at least $1,000 worth of damage to a state police cruiser during the incident. He was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $75,000 bail.
Troopers were called at 8:23 a.m. Saturday to Creek Road in Sewickley Township to check on a man, later identified as Smith, who was sitting in a black Honda, according to court documents. Smith was acting suspicious and refused to talk to the trooper, police reported.
He took off and police pursued, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph on township and state roads, authorities said. Smith rammed a cruiser during the chase that ended on Route 136 when he ran over tire spikes that troopers had put on the road, police reported.
Smith got out of the car holding an open bottle of Smirnoff vodka and yelled at troopers to shoot him, police said.
He is charged with aggravated assault, driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and related offenses. He did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A Jan. 21 preliminary hearing is set.
Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta.
