Police accuse Greensburg man of hitting state police car during chase

A Greensburg man is accused of using his car to hit a state police cruiser Wednesday evening during a chase that ended with the man in handcuffs, according to court papers.

William John Binnall, 38, is charged with fleeing from police, resisting arrest and several misdemeanors and summaries. He was being held in the Westmoreland County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bond.

State police say a trooper pulled over the Chevrolet Malibu Binnall was driving at about 7 p.m. on Locust Valley Road and Lone Pine Lane in Hempfield because of an expired registration. The trooper found that Binnall had a suspended driver’s license for a past drunken-driving conviction and numerous bench warrants from the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office, according to court papers.

State police say Binnall refused to get out of his car and took off.

Police pursued him onto Route 66, where, police say, Binnall swerved his car toward a trooper, hitting the patrol vehicle. He continued driving until police were able to stop his vehicle on Route 66 near Old Route 66, according to court papers. No injuries were reported.

Binnall told investigators he “panicked and decided to flee,” an affidavit stated. Police say they seized two hypodermic needles, numerous empty stamp bags, a wooden marijuana pipe and a small bag containing marijuana from Binnall’s car.

Binnall did not have an attorney listed in online court papers. A preliminary hearing is set for June 6.