Man arraigned on charges of fleeing, DUI
FRANKLIN TWP — A suspected drugged driver is accused of leading Moraine State Park rangers on a vehicle chase that ended about 10 miles later in Butler, authorities said.
John E. Smeltzer, 39, of Rimersburg, Clarion County, eventually stopped at Butler Memorial Hospital, where he was arrested, but not before a city officer Tasered him during the incident last month.
On Tuesday, District Judge Bill O'Donnell arraigned Smeltzer on felony and other charges stemming from the Nov. 3 chase. He has been behind bars since that time for probation violations in Butler and Clarion counties.
Rangers initially came upon the defendant after they spotted a sport utility vehicle around 7:50 p.m. under the bridge at the Route 528 boat launch in Franklin Township.
The vehicle's engine was still running and the windows were fogged, authorities said. The pair of rangers got out of their patrol vehicle and walked toward the SUV.
Moments later, the rangers said, the driver, later identified as Smeltzer, drove away. The rangers returned to their vehicle, activated the emergency lights and siren and started a pursuit.
The suspect's vehicle turned onto Route 422 and headed east toward Butler.
City and state police were subsequently notified and assisted the rangers.
The defendant did not stop until he pulled into the parking lot at Butler Memorial Hospital, authorities said. He got out of the SUV and started walking toward an entrance to the hospital.
Assisting police officers moved in to arrest Smeltzer, but he allegedly resisted.
“A Butler City officer deployed his (T)aser to aid in compliance,” according to charging documents.
The suspect was placed in handcuffs. A short time later, rangers said, he fell asleep. The officers suspected he was impaired and they took him for a blood test.
Toxicology results were not disclosed in documents, but investigators believe he was under the influence of marijuana and nitrous oxide.
A search of Smeltzer's vehicle, authorities said, turned up suspected marijuana, a whippet canister of nitrous oxide and other drug contraband.
The rangers took him to Butler County Prison for a probation violation in connection with a 2017 felony drug conviction. On Monday, he was taken to the Clarion County Jail for an unrelated probation violation.
Rangers also charged him Monday in connection with last month's chase. He was arraigned the following day on a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police, and misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and inhaling toxic releasing substances.
He was also cited for violation of rules on commonwealth property. O'Donnell set bond at $20,000. Smeltzer's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 18. Online court records did not indicate if he has an attorney.
