Ronald Piper

A state trooper had to “run as he could” to avoid serious injury when a Butler man drove a vehicle toward him near the conclusion of a high speed chase that began in Butler County and ended in Armstrong County, police said.

Ronald R. Piper, 46, is currently in custody at the Butler County Prison and facing a dozen charges related to the Monday, Oct. 20, chase.

Kittanning state police charged Piper on Tuesday with one felony count each of aggravated assault - attempts to cause serious bodily injury, aggravated assault - attempts to cause bodily injury, and aggravated assault - attempts to cause bodily injury with a deadly weapon, and fleeing or attemping to allude an officer; one misdemeanor count each of evading arrest on foot, recklessly endangering another person, and use/possession of drug paraphernalia; and five summary charges related to his driving.

The charges stem from Piper’s actions in Armstrong County, where the pursuit concluded.

Police said the chase began in Forward Township, Butler County around 4:30 p.m. following a report of a possible burglary. Eyewitnesses in northern Butler County reported seeing a speeding silver van before the chase ended in East Franklin Township, Armstrong County.

According to an affidavit, one trooper attempted to stop the van at around 6:40 p.m. by activating sirens and lights, but Piper failed to pull over.

After “an extended period of time,” the Piper drove over spike strips while traveling south on Route 268 near Boltz Road that were set out by another trooper, but Piper continued driving ahead where he’d encounter another set of spike strips, police said.

On this occasion, Piper drove the vehicle toward a trooper who was positioned to the west of the road, standing near a marked state police vehicle, the affidavit said.

The trooper pursuing Piper saw the officer standing beside the vehicle run to avoid being struck by the van, the affidavit said.

Police reported seeing the van crash, and Piper fled into a wooded area on foot.

At 5 a.m. Tuesday, state police in Kittanning received a report of a stolen vehicle near where the pursuit ended, which they said in an earlier news release that they believe Piper stole after crashing.

The stolen vehicle was recovered on Route 422 near Swartzlander Lane in Clearfield Township, Butler County. At that point, police said Piper stole another vehicle, a 2005 gray Honda Civic.

Piper has since been arrested and is in custody of the Butler County Prison. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Kenneth Bussard in Armstrong County.