Man accused in ramming case still held
BUTLER TWP — A township man faces a hearing next week in connection with a Friday afternoon police chase that ended when authorities say he intentionally struck a trooper's cruiser, injuring the officer.
David R. Coleman, 50, remains in Butler County Prison on $100,000 cash bail. He faces 16 charges, three of them felonies.
The injured officer, Trooper Kevin Goss, was treated at Butler Memorial Hospital for unspecified injuries in the crash.
Police previously described the injuries as non-life threatening. Goss' condition was not available Tuesday.
A patrol supervisor said that as of Tuesday morning, he had not returned to work.
Butler police first came in contact with Coleman's 2000 Infiniti QX4 sport utility vehicle about 4:30 p.m., when he ran a stop sign at South Chestnut and West Diamond streets, according to court documents.
The city officer activated his emergency lights but the defendant pulled in and out of a nearby parking lot before traveling onto Whitestown Road.
The SUV “continued to flee and elude police,” documents said, “traversing various roadways into Butler Township.”
State police and Butler Township police were called to assist.
Coleman subsequently headed south on Duffy Road, where he turned left onto Whitestown Road and traveled around a marked city police car.
Moments later, the SUV “rammed” Goss' cruiser. Investigators said the crash also damaged a home's mailbox and stone wall.
Police suspected Coleman was impaired, documents said. They also noticed his front-seat passenger, a 13-year-old boy, and an open beer can in the vehicle's cup holder.
The boy, police said, is related to Coleman.
Coleman was taken to the Butler hospital for a blood draw. Toxicology results are pending, police said.
He was subsequently arraigned on felony charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, and fleeing or attempting to elude police.
Additionally, he was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of DUI, child endangerment, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest.
He also is charged with nine traffic violations that include driving with a suspended license-DUI related, driving without a license, driving at an unsafe speed, careless driving and driving with an open container of alcohol.
His preliminary hearing is set for April 12. Online court records did not indicate if he has an attorney.
