Jun 12, 2013 2 min read

A Burgettstown man faces several charges including driving under the influence of alcohol and fleeing or eluding police stemming from a chase through a borough neighborhood earlier this month.

Christopher Michael Wilson, 19, also will be charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving, careless driving and speeding in connection with the June 1 incident.

McDonald police were observing traffic about 3:45 a.m. on Route 18 near South Main Street when an officer spotted a pickup truck traveling at an excessive speed, screeching tires while turning onto South Main.

When police started to follow the truck, later determined to be driven by Wilson, it was going about 60 mph in a 35 mph zone. Police attempted to stop the truck after Wilson turned onto West Pittsburgh Street.

Police said they saw Wilson accelerate through a stop sign at West Pittsburgh and Shady Avenue. A second McDonald officer, also on patrol in the area, was asked for assistance. Wilson reportedly reached speeds of 80 to 100 mph in a posted 15 mph zone on West Pittsburgh.

Police said Wilson continued into Smith Township on Plum Run Road. They said the truck skidded almost 80 feet as Wilson tried to turn onto Sams Lane, but he was able to regain control before he stopped the vehicle about 100 yards away.

Wilson’s blood-alcohol content was more than double the 0.08 limit presumed for intoxication, according to police.

This is not the first time Wilson has been arrested for driving while intoxicated by McDonald police. He is in the accelerated rehabilitative disposition program after pleading to a charge of DUI by a minor stemming from a May 5, 2012, crash in Midway. His blood-alcohol content in that case was four times the 0.02 limit presumed for intoxication for anyone under the age of 21.

The new charges will be filed this week at the office of District Judge Gary Havelka and sent by summons.