Published: January 22, 2008 07:31 pm      

Waynesburg man arrested following car pursuit

Somerset — An early morning chase through northern Pulaski County has resulted in the arrest of a Waynesburg man on a number of criminal charges.

Charles M. Morgan, 38, was charged with two counts of first-degree fleeing or evading police — one in a motor vehicle, the other on foot — two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree driving under the influence with aggravators, reckless driving, speeding, leaving the scene of an accident, resisting arrest, and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.

At nearly 1:30 a.m. Monday, sheriff’s deputy Danny Pevley was patrolling on Liberty Road when he encountered a 2001 Pontiac being driven in a reckless manner — so reckless, in fact, that it almost struck the deputy’s cruiser.

Deputy Pevley turned around in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but when he caught back up with the Pontiac, the driver had already gone off the roadway into a ditch. Pevley activated the emergency lights on his vehicle, and the driver of the Pontiac took off in an apparent attempt to flee from the deputy.

The pursuit took the two vehicles onto Ky. 328 and Ky. 39, headed south. Deputy Steve Molen deployed “stop sticks” on the latter roadway; the Pontiac’s driver’s side front tire was deflated while running over the devices, but continued on, almost striking Molen’s cruiser while turning onto Charles Elgin Road.

Road after road was traveled in the midst of the chase — Ky. 70, Smith Road, back onto Ky. 70, Hubble No. 2 Road, Ben Nelson Road, Charles Elgin Road, Cank McWilliams Road, Todd Road, back onto Charles Elgin and Ben Nelson Roads, and then east on Hubble to a dead end.

The suspect drove through a yard before stopping, where he fled the vehicle on foot. He was taken into custody by Deputy Craig Whitaker and his canine unit, Nero, after a brief pursuit.

Morgan was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center on a $20,000 cash or property bond.

In other Sheriff’s Department activity:

• Trent Sears, 27, of 1600 Poplarville Road, Somerset, was arrested on a Pulaski Circuit Court warrant on indictment for first-degree possession of a controlled substance, a first offense. He was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center.

• Hope A. Hardwick, 27, 839 Cannonball Road, Somerset, was arrested on a Pulaski District Court warrant for flagrant non-support after failing to pay child support in the amount of $3,249.57 as ordered by Pulaski Family Court in March 2005. She was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center.