By Jim Smith

Butler Eagle Staff Writer

MIDDLESEX TWP — A Fairview Township man was twice the legal limit for alcohol when he led a police officer on a chase that reached speeds of nearly 100 mph last month, authorities said.

District Judge Sue Haggerty on Thursday arraigned 22-year-old Jonathan L. Koebler on a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude police and a list of other charges.

Koebler was speeding about 7:40 p.m. Feb. 20 when a patrol officer tried to stop his 1991 Plymouth on Route 8 northbound at Glade Mill Road, according to Middlesex Township police.

The officer followed the suspect’s car past the Cruikshank Road and Dinnerbell intersections.

Just north of Dinnerbell Road, court documents said, Koebler briefly turned off his headlights in a move to lose the officer. But the high-speed chase continued.

A Penn Township police officer assisted and the pursuit finally ended on Route 8 near Airport Road. Police said the suspect reeked of alcohol as they took him out of the car and put him in handcuffs.

Koebler was searched and found with a switchblade-style knife and a pen that contained the white powder residue of an unknown substance, police said.

In the car, the Middlesex officer found an open bottle of rum.

The defendant eventually was taken to UPMC Passavant hospital in Cranberry Township for a blood test, which showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.162 percent. A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.

In addition to fleeing, Koebler is charged with driving under the influence, and possession of a prohibited offensive weapon and drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors.

Police also cited him for speeding, driving without lights to avoid arrest, reckless driving and several other traffic violations.

He was released on $5,000 unsecured bail following arraignment.