Keeping secret from girlfriend leads to car chase
BUTLER TWP — State police say that a man led troopers on a chase, topping speeds of 110 mph on Route 422 before he eventually slid into a ditch.
His excuse for not stopping in the first place? He didn't want his girlfriend to find out that he was driving her car with a suspended license, police said.
William J. McCurdy, 50, of Franklin Township is facing a hearing next month in connection with the weekend arrest.
He is charged with a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude police and a misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment.
Police also cited him for 16 traffic violations.
A pair of troopers were conducting radar enforcement on Route 422 at Greenwood Drive in Butler Township about 7:40 p.m. Saturday, according to court documents, when McCurdy drove by in a 2011 Toyota Scion.
He was clocked at 95 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Police said they activated their emergency lights and siren and took off after the defendant. But instead of stopping, he allegedly accelerated.
“McCurdy continued westbound on (Route) 422,” according to a police affidavit, “at speeds more than 110 mph.”
Police described traffic as “heavy” in both directions. During the pursuit, troopers also noted that the suspect used the turn lane to pass other westbound vehicles.
Eventually, he traveled into neighboring Franklin Township and turned onto Pflugh Road, documents said, where he continued his would-be getaway from police.
He next turned onto Dick Road and headed north, police said, at speeds “in excess of 95 mph.”
During the pursuit, he allegedly failed to use turn signals and ran stop signs.
The chase finally ended after McCurdy was unable to make a right-hand curve on Whippoorwill Road, police said. The car slid off the road and into a ditch, getting stuck in the snow and mud.
He was arrested without incident and there was no visible damage to his girlfriend's car.
“McCurdy related he fled from (police),” documents said, “because he knew his driver's license was suspended and he didn't want his girlfriend to find out.”
He remains free on $5,000 bail while awaiting his preliminary hearing Jan. 17.
