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Road chase leads to trial

Grove City man, 20, faces charges

PINE TWP, Mercer County — A Grove City man is headed for trial on charges he led state police on a drunken high-speed chase that ended when he crashed just north of the Butler County line last month.

Dylan W. Funk, 20, was ordered held for court at a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Neil McEwen in Pine Township.

He faces two felonies, three misdemeanors and seven traffic and summary tickets in connection with the incident that began as a routine traffic stop.

Troopers about 3:40 a.m. Oct. 29 spotted Funk’s 2000 Cadillac Deville momentarily travel off Route 62 in Jackson Township, and pulled him over, according to court documents.

Police said they smelled alcohol on Funk’s breath as they spoke to him and noticed an open can of beer near the center console.

When one of the troopers asked to see his license, Funk allegedly put the car in gear and “peeled out,” police said. Moments later, he was leading police on a chase at a top speed of at least 120 mph.

Within four miles, troopers lost sight of the car around several curves in the road and slowed down. But as they continued traveling, they came upon the Cadillac — wrecked and on its roof.

The car was smoking with fuel gushing out of the gas cap area, and several beer cans around the wreckage.

Police were unable to open any of the doors and, fearing the car could catch fire, had to break out a window to get Funk out, documents said.

The troopers handcuffed Funk, who was injured and bleeding. He allegedly gave troopers a bogus name and other personal information.

While police were gathering information at the scene, documents said, Funk “jumped up and took off running” into a wooded area.

The suspect was eventually captured and identified. But he still wasn’t done, police said. While still handcuffed, he again unsuccessfully tried to run off.

Asked why he tried to get away, a police affidavit said, Funk told troopers that “he was on probation and had a suspended license and knew he would go back to jail for a long time.”

A portable breath test device later confirmed Funk had been drinking, police said.

Funk is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police and escape, both felonies. He also is charged with resisting arrest, driving under the influence and false identification to police, all misdemeanors,

Additionally, he faces summary charges of underage drinking, minors prohibited from driving with any alcohol in their system, speeding, driving with a suspended license, disregarding traffic lanes, careless driving and reckless driving.

Funk, who will be formally arraigned on charges Jan. 13, remains in the Mercer County Jail on $5,000 bail and a parole detainer.

Court records showed Funk was on parole stemming from his arrest along with another man in a 2012 burglary spree of several homes in Springfield Township.

Funk in 2013 pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property in the case, and was sentenced to 134 days to 23 months. He was credited for time served and immediately paroled.

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