Canton man arrested after chase
A Canton Township man who is not eligible for a valid driver’s license for more than 50 years was arrested on numerous charges, including 46 counts of reckless endangerment, after allegedly leading North Strabane Township police on a chase Saturday morning.
John Albert Work, 49, of 921 Wayne St., also is charged with fleeing or eluding police, driving under suspension, reckless driving, speeding, careless driving, failure to yield for an emergency vehicle and other traffic violations.
Officer Gary Scherer was on patrol about 9:30 a.m. on Route 19 northbound when he said a vehicle driven by Work passed going south near Locust Street. Scherer recognized Work from a traffic stop in the same vehicle about two months earlier and knew his license had a DUI-related suspension. Work is not eligible for a driver’s license before 2070.
The officer activated his emergency lights and tried to stop Work, who allegedly was driving at a high speed and making evasive maneuvers such as quick lane changes. Work turned onto Weavertown Road, and as Scherer crested a hill on Weavertown, he said he could see Work crossing the center line to pass vehicles.
Police said Work then got onto Interstate 79 southbound, passing vehicles on the shoulder at a high speed. Scherer caught up to Work, who police say was going about 110 mph as he continued to drive erratically. Scherer broke off the pursuit at the north junction with Interstate 70 out of concern for public safety. He said he lost sight of Work near the Jessop Place exit of I-70 in Canton Township.
Work was taken into custody at his home a short time later by Scherer, who was accompanied by state and Washington police. Work reportedly told Scherer that he fled because he was scared.
Work was arraigned before District Judge Traci McDonald and placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond. He is scheduled for an Oct. 9 preliminary hearing before District Judge Jay Weller.