Suspected drugged driver charged after chase
A suspected drugged driver was arrested early Thursday after he allegedly led troopers on a chase in and out of Butler County that saw speeds top 100 mph.
State police nabbed Quynten S. Castellanos, 24, of Altoona, Blair County, but not before they said he crashed his car and fled on foot. He is behind bars on 19 charges that include two felonies.
Police said they initially tried to pull over Castellanos' 2011 Pontiac Grand Prix around 1:40 a.m. for traveling 113 mph on Route 422 in Franklin Township. But when he failed to stop, the chase started.
Castellanos is accused of turning off his head lights and tail lights.
The police pursuit eventually crossed into Lawrence County. On the way, police said, Castellanos failed to stay in his lane, ran stop signs and red lights, and went the wrong way.
On Sullivan Street in New Castle, police said, the defendant drove into a parking lot and slammed into a concrete barrier. He got out of the car and took off, but troopers caught him.
Police said they believe Castellanos was impaired on drugs and they found him with about four grams of suspected methamphetamine, a THC vaporizer and THC oil.
Additionally, police learned he was wanted on two unrelated warrants.
District Judge Bill O'Donnell arraigned Castellanos on felony charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police and flight to avoid apprehension.
He also was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana.
Additionally, he is charged with 12 traffic violations.
He is in the Butler County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20. Online court records did not list an attorney for him.
