Jul 31, 2015 2 min read

A Belle Vernon man who was pulled over for running a red light early Friday nearly ran over a police officer in an attempt to flee, according to Charleroi police.

Bryan Joseph Murray, 31, of 400 Lenity School Road, Belle Vernon, was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude an officer and reckless driving. His only other charge was failure to stop at a red signal.

Murray pulled over on the Charleroi-Monessen Bridge just after midnight when Officer William Gardner activated his lights. Police said Murray looked directly at the officer, who was standing outside his window, then put his vehicle into drive and turned left, nearly striking the officer.

Gardner said he had to run to get out of the path of the vehicle, which headed south on Route 906.

He returned to his police cruiser and followed Murray at a speed of about 120 mph, following him onto Interstate 70 east, then onto the North Belle Vernon exit ramp and onto Graham Avenue. He lost sight of Murray but was able to confirm his identity through the registration and driver’s license photo provided by the state Department of Transportation, police said.

Not long after, Murray turned himself in to police. He was arraigned by District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond.