High-speed chase ends at man's Prospect home
A Prospect man allegedly ignored the lights and sirens Saturday night as he led state police back to his home, more than 14 miles from where he was clocked for speeding.
Police on Monday charged Robert L. Murray, 57, of Prospect, with 14 offenses resulting from the chase.Those charges include two felony counts of DUI, one felony count of fleeing and one misdemeanor count of driving with a suspended license. The remaining charges were summary offenses, largely revolving around traffic violations.Murray was arraigned Sunday morning by District Judge David Kovach, who also denied setting a bond for his release. He remains in Butler County Prison.According to charging documents, around 11:19 p.m. Saturday state police encountered Murray driving north at a high rate of speed in a 2011 Kia Sportage at mile marker 80 on Interstate 79, which is between the Cranberry/Mars and Evans City exits.“My radar unit showed that the vehicle was traveling 89 mph in a 65-mile-per-hour zone,” said the investigating officer in the affidavit.Police said they initiated a traffic stop after seeing the SUV cross the center dividing line for a stretch of several feet.According to documents, while running checks on the vehicle's information during the pursuit, it was revealed that Murray was the owner of the vehicle and had a DUI-suspended license.“Murray then increased the speed of his vehicle,” said the officer in the affidavit.According to the documents, Murray ignored all traffic signage and rules as he exited I-79 onto Little Creek Road, passed through its intersection with Swain Hill Road, turned onto Whitestown Road, which eventually turned into Harmony Road, and turned onto Prospect Road.Police said they estimated Murray's speed to be between 70 and 80 mph throughout the chase, even as he passed through areas that were 35 mph and 45 mph zones.The documents said that shortly after turning onto Prospect Road, Murray drove to his home, where police arrested him.“I observed that Murray had pinpoint pupils and his eyes were glassy,” said the officer in the affidavit.Murray was processed at the Butler barracks before being taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for a blood draw. The results of the test were not available in the affidavit.Murray is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. Friday.
