Man hospitalized after crash ending police chase
A Honey Brook man led Cumru Township police on a brief chase Thursday night that ended when his car crashed into two parked vehicles in the village of Grill, police said.
The events began about 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of Routes 724 and 625 when Officer Scott Schmittinger came upon two parked cars in a travel lane, with a man standing at the driver’s door of one of the vehicles and punching the driver through the open window, Chief Madison Winchester said Friday.
He provided this further account:
As Schmittinger approached, the man who appeared to be assaulting the motorist got into the other vehicle and drove off, turning east on Route 724, which is Philadelphia Avenue. The motorist who was assaulted got out and pointed to the fleeing vehicle.
Schmittinger turned on his emergency lights and siren and pursued the fleeing driver.
That driver lost control as he turned onto Mountain View Road seconds later, crashing into two parked vehicles in the 700 block.
Schmittinger approached the vehicle and found the driver unconscious with head injuries.
Because of how the driver was positioned, the officer decided to remove him from the vehicle to prevent further injury until an ambulance crew arrived.
The driver was treated at the scene and regained consciousness. He was transported to Reading Hospital for head trauma.
Police found an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle.
Winchester said the driver was reportedly admitted to the hospital and in stable condition.
He admitted to investigators that he consumed several beers and didn’t remember anything. He gave permission to have a blood sample drawn to test whether he was driving while intoxicated.
Police are also investigating the apparent assault on the other motorist before the chase and crash.
In the meantime, Cumru police are contacting law enforcement in Montgomery and Northampton counties after learning the driver had outstanding warrants in those counties.
Court records indicate the driver, whose name is being withheld because he hasn’t yet been charged, had previous addresses in Pottstown and Hellertown, in Montgomery and Northampton counties, respectively.