Jun 29, 2015 2 min read

A Washington man accused of leading police on two chases was sentenced Monday to 2 ½ to 6 years in prison.

Earle C. Williams, 30, of 129 Church Street, pleaded guilty to fleeing and eluding police, recklessly endangering another person and accident involving damage to attended property before Washington County Common Pleas Judge Valarie Costanzo. Williams also pleaded guilty to two summary traffic offenses. He entered into an open plea agreement, under which the sentence is up to the discretion of the judge.

Williams’ most recent chase occurred July 4, 2014, after he was stopped on Interstate 79 south near the Meadow Lands exit for an equipment violation. He told the state trooper who pulled him over that the vehicle was not his and provided a false name. When the trooper was unable to find any information on Williams, he was asked to pull farther off the road so he could be taken to the barracks for fingerprinting.

Williams took off, and troopers gave chase. As they approached the north junction with Interstate 70, the troopers saw a cloud of dust and a dented guardrail as drivers swerved. The car Williams was driving swerved and spun, going up an embankment. Williams got out of the car and ran, but was taken into custody.

The other chase occurred April 3, 2013, on Interstate 70 near the Jessop Place exit in Canton Township. A trooper operating radar clocked a sport utility vehicle driven by Williams going 80 mph. Police attempted to stop Williams’ vehicle, but he accelerated, increasing his speed to 100 mph. Williams exited the highway at the Racetrack Road exit and then got back on the highway, continuing north at a high speed. He then got off the highway again, this time at the Houston exit, turning left on Route 519 while still traveling at a high speed and running vehicles off the road.

Police said Williams then traveled on several streets before making a right onto Pike Street in Houston. He continued to speed, almost causing several crashes, police said. He then turned right onto North Johnson Road before turning onto Forrest.

Williams exited the vehicle and ran to a home in the 600 block of Regent Street, where he was found hiding in the attic.

Williams will remain at the county jail until he is transferred to a state prison.