State Police from the Punxsutawney barracks arrested a Smicksburg man after he led troopers on a chase Sunday night in North Mahoning Township.
Troopers say they tried to initiate a traffic stop around 10:50 PM on August 13th at the intersection of Route 210 and Sawmill Road in North Mahoning Township, but the driver, later identified as 56-year-old John Rittenhouse, fled the scene in his 1999 Ford Ranger and led police on a 10.5 mile high-speed chase that ended at the intersection of McCormick Road and Route 210 in South Mahoning Township when he crashed the truck.
No injuries were reported in connection with the crash. Troopers determined that Rittenhouse was under the influence of alcohol at the time and he was taken into custody.
Plumville Volunteer Fire Department and Citizens’ Ambulance Services assisted at the scene. He faces charges of DUI, Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, reckless endangerment and 21 summary traffic violations. Rittenhouse is free on $500 bail, and a preliminary hearing is set for August 21st in front of District Judge Christopher Welch.
