A New Alexandria man is free on unsecured bail after state police said he led them on a chase through a campground near Keystone State Park during the Fourth of July weekend.
Police said they apprehended Luis A. Marsales, 26, along Loyalhanna Creek in Latrobe.
He is charged with fleeing from police, reckless endangerment and summary traffic offenses.
Troopers said they attempted a traffic stop after spotting Marsales driving at 10:30 a.m. Sunday an Acura at 30 mph over the posted 45 mph speed limit on Route 22 in New Alexandria, according to court papers. He fled through several stop signs in the borough and onto Route 981, while passing several vehicles, and Slag Road.
Troopers said in court papers that the car was skidding around bends in the road while pedestrians were walking alongside in a campground area at the Derry Township park, according to court papers. Police said Marsales just barely missed hitting some of the pedestrians.
He is accused of returning to Route 981 and heading south at 90 mph to Latrobe where city officers took over the chase. Police said he ran to the creek at a dead end on Water Street when authorities captured him. The park is about 6 miles from where he was apprehended.
Marsales told police he was driving and that he fled because he was scared, according to court papers. A female passenger was not hurt.
Marsales was arraigned Monday morning and freed on $10,000 unsecured bail. He did not have an attorney listed in online court records. He could not immediately be reached. A preliminary hearing is set for July 13.
