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Man accused of DUI, trying to elude police

SLIPPERY ROCK — A hearing is pending for a suspected drunken driver accused of leading police on a pair of chases in and out of the borough.

The latter pursuit reached speeds of nearly 100 mph, police said.

The suspect, Thomas P. Gilson, 24, of Greenville, Mercer County, faces felony and other charges for the alleged failed getaways earlier this month.

Slippery Rock police said they initially spotted Gilson’s 2008 Nissan 350Z about 2 a.m. Aug. 13 driving the wrong way on Midway Alley.

But when Lt. Brian Hoak tried to stop the driver, according to court documents, he “peeled out” southbound on South Main Street.

Gilson traveled past Keister Road and the Slippery High School entrance. During his would- be escape, police said, he crossed the center line. He eventually pulled over at the Apple Butter Inn on Route 173.

Hoak noted that he smelled a “strong odor” of alcohol coming from the suspect, who also appeared impaired, documents said.

The officer subsequently gave the defendant a preliminary breath test, which registered a 0.14 percent reading. A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.

But when Hoak asked Gilson to get out of the car to perform field sobriety tests, police said, he put the vehicle in gear and sped away.

While traveling south on Route 173, the suspect’s car was clocked at 92 mph, documents said. He eventually pulled away and lost police.

Later that day, however, Gilson turned himself in to police. After he spoke to police, he was advised that charges against him would be filed by summons.

He is charged with a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude police.

Additionally, he is charged with driving under the influence, driving on the wrong side of the road, driving the wrong way on a one-way road and reckless driving.

A preliminary hearing at the Slippery Rock office of District Judge William O’Donnell was not immediately scheduled.

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