Saxonburg police have filed charges against a man for allegedly crashing his car into a field along Stoneybrook Drive on Jan. 29 after fleeing police.

Theodore F. Snyder, 53, of Butler, was charged with one misdemeanor charge of eluding police and citations including reckless driving and failing to drive at a safe speed.

According to police, they were stationed on West Main Street around 11 p.m. when a hatchback vehicle passed without working taillights.

“The officer activated his siren and lights, and the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed,” according to Joe Beachem, borough police chief. “He notified 911 that the vehicle took off, and he was terminating the pursuit. A few minutes later, he got called to an accident.”

Residents reported hearing a loud bang and seeing vehicle lights in an area near Constitution Avenue, documents said.

Police said groans could be heard from the vehicle as they approached the scene of the crash, and they asked the male driver to shut off the car. The driver, later identified as Snyder, appeared disoriented, according to police.

Police said when they asked Snyder why he fled police, he responded that he didn’t know.

He suffered an ankle injury and was taken from the scene to a Pittsburgh hospital.

The vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage, according to documents. Beachem added that all air bags deployed at the time of the crash and a door was sheared off.

Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company also responded to the scene.

Snyder’s preliminary hearing before District Judge Sue Haggerty is scheduled for April 19.