Dec 20, 2014 2 min read

A Canton Township man was arrested after leading state police on a brief chase with speeds about 100 mph on Jefferson Avenue in Washington late Friday night.

When police caught Michael Philip Fowler Jr., 27, of 280 McClay Road, after he crashed into a commercial vehicle at the ramp to Interstate 70, a trooper said he found suspected heroin along with suspected Ecstasy.

Police were on Fourth Street near Jefferson in Washington when a trooper spotted a vehicle traveling with no lights on the back of the car. The trooper activated emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle. Police said the vehicle pulled along the side of the road briefly before the driver, later identified as Fowler, sped off and went through a stop sign before turning right onto Jefferson.

The car continued to accelerate, going at speeds in excess of 100 mph, according to police. The car stopped when it crashed into the other vehicle at the on-ramp to the highway.

Police said Fowler ignored commands to get out of the vehicle and was removed. When Fowler was being escorted to the cruiser, the trooper said he noticed what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette tucked behind his left ear. The trooper also said he smelled marijuana.

After a search, troopers said they found inside Fowler’s pants a large bag of suspected heroin along with a smaller bag containing suspected Ecstasy. Fowler told police he had three bricks of heroin. He also admitted to the trooper he smoked marijuana just before he was pulled over, according to police. Police said there also was an open can of malt liquor in the car’s console and Fowler admitted to drinking earlier that night. He was taken to Washington Hospital for chemical testing.

Fowler told the trooper he did not pull over because he did not have a valid driver’s license.

Fowler was arraigned before District Judge David Mark on charges of possession with intent to deliver heroin, fleeing or attempting to elude police, disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance and marijuana, driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, resisting arrest and several traffic violations including speeding.

He was placed in Washington County jail on $100,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 30 before District Judge Robert Redlinger.