Police fatally shoot suspect on Route 22 in Derry Township after 45-mile, high-speed chase

State police shot and killed a Johnstown man Thursday afternoon along Route 22, about 2 miles east of New Alexandria, ending a high-speed chase of about 44 miles that started in a Johnstown suburb.

The suspect, Krysten H. Pretlor, 35, was shot shortly after 3 p.m. after police spun his car around and pinned it against a concrete barrier “in an effort to safely end the pursuit” as he traveled westbound at Rushwood Road in Derry Township.

Pretlor refused orders to surrender when police stopped him and the shooting occurred, Trooper Steve Limani said.

State police said they were advised that Pretlor had a handgun.

“They (police) tried to get him to stop,” Limani said. The shooting is “one of the worst things that can happen to an officer.”

Limani said he did not know if Pretlor pointed a gun at state police or how many shots were fired at the suspect. At least seven yellow evidence markers were on the highway around the two vehicles.

Limani said he was not certain what state police station the troopers were stationed at who were involved in the shooting.

Limani said the vehicles reached speeds of about 100 mph during the chase.

The state police Troop A Major Case Team is investigating the incident in conjunction with the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office and the Richland Township (Cambria County) police department. In accordance with state police policy, the involved trooper will be placed on administrative duties while the incident is under investigation, police said.

Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli issued a statement saying her office will investigate the incident and determine whether the officers’ use of force was justified.

Police: How it happened

Richland Township police in Cambria County were obtaining warrant for Pretlor’s arrest on felony domestic violence charges, and other officers were searching for him when he took off, leading them on the chase, police say. Pretlor had an extensive criminal record involving violence.

State police assisted in the chase beginning about 2:30 p.m. Pretlor entered Route 22 in Indiana County. The chase continued until the suspect’s BMW was stopped, police said.

As a result of the shooting, state police shut down the eastbound lanes of Route 22 at New Alexandria and the westbound lanes at Route 982 in Derry Township. Traffic was forced to divert off the busy highway.

In a tweet, state police advised drivers to use alternate routes as the incident was expected to cause “significant traffic backlogs.”

We are conducting an investigation that will be causing significant traffic back logs on RTE 22 both directions in the New Alexandria / Blairsville Area. Please choose alternate routes.

— Troopers Steve Limani & Cliff Greenfield (@PSPTroopAPIO) November 3, 2022

A woman living near the scene, London Dolan, said she was home alone with her two young children when she heard the crash, then shortly after heard several gunshots.

“We got inside and locked the doors,” Dolan said. “It does make you feel uneasy and unsafe in the world when there is evil.”