A Butler man was sentenced to probation in Butler County Court Wednesday for charges resulting from a police chase in Butler in November.

Joshua W. Meehan, 34, was sentenced to 12 months' probation, 60 days in the Intermediate Punishment program, 200 hours community service and $1,250 in fines by county Judge Timothy McCune after pleading guilty to misdemeanor fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, driving on a suspended license and driving without headlights in March.

Meehan was initially charged with a felony fleeing count, which was later changed, and summary traffic violations, including reckless driving, driving on a suspended license and driving without headlights after an incident in Butler on Nov. 19.

Butler police said the incident began at about 6:24 p.m. on West Cunningham Street, when an officer spotted a car traveling with illegal yellow headlights. The officer attempted a traffic stop on Pillow Street, but the suspect, later identified as Meehan, sped away, according to court documents.

The chase continued onto Eighth Avenue then Goldwood Avenue, through an alley, then back onto Pillow Street and West Cunningham Street, where the vehicle cut through the Medicine Shoppe parking lot to avoid several stopped vehicles at a red light.

The vehicle then turned onto South Chestnut Street, documents said, where he nearly struck several vehicles at another red light. The vehicle continued east on West Wayne Street and south on Route 8, where the officer decided to end the chase.

Meehan was identified as the driver using license plate information and he was later arrested. When the investigating officer asked Meehan why he fled, he replied that he “just snapped and took off,” documents said.

He was released on his own recognizance following arraignment.