A North Huntingdon police cruiser was damaged in a pursuit Saturday after authorities said a fleeing suspect rammed it head on, according to court papers.
Police attempted to stop a stolen Hyundai Elantra they said was driven by Julian Jamar Johnson, 39, of Pittsburgh, on Route 30 in the township before he was captured about 10 miles away in Wilkinsburg.
The pursuit started around 3:45 a.m. when an officer noticed the car, which had been reported stolen from Jeannette on Dec. 27, driving without headlights in a parking lot and making an illegal U-turn on Route 30. After the collision with the township cruiser, the car continued at 90 mph into Allegheny County on Route 30 with severe damage to the front end, deployed airbags and excessive smoke, according to court papers.
The driver veered into oncoming traffic multiple times, traveling for several miles in the wrong direction on a divided stretch of the highway, police said, until he bailed out of the car on Coal Street in Wilkinsburg.
When officers caught up with him, they reported in court papers that he appeared to be intoxicated and said “I should’ve shot first.” They reported seizing drugs, cash and a gun Johnson was seen throwing during the foot chase.
He was checked out at a hospital for a head injury from the crash. The officer driving the damaged cruiser reported head and neck pain, police said.
Johnson had two warrants out for his arrest and his driver’s license was suspended, according to court papers. He is facing numerous charges, including aggravated assault, fleeing from police, theft, resisting arrest and related offenses.
He was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison without bail. A Jan. 16 preliminary hearing is set. Johnson did not have an attorney listed in online court records.
