Police charge SR man following fiery crash
Charges were filed following a state police chase Sunday night in Slippery Rock during which an allegedly drunken driver crashed his vehicle that then caught on fire.
State police filed charges Monday against the driver, Caleb E. McCartney, 24, of Slippery Rock, including felony fleeing from officers, misdemeanor DUI and multiple traffic violations in connection with the alleged chase that spanned about 1.5 miles.
On Monday, McCartney was arraigned by District Judge William Fullerton and released on his own recognizance.
Police said they spotted McCartney leaving the Sheetz parking lot in Slippery Rock in a blue 1993 Saab convertible. They said the sedan McCartney was driving “accelerated at a high rate of speed” reported to be 50 mph or greater. The posted speed limit is 25 mph.
Police said the chase led to the area of the Slippery Rock University football stadium and ended when the vehicle exited Harmony Road near the football stadium, rolled over and caught fire.
In charging documents, police said the car hit a sign, bottomed out and then rolled onto its roof before catching fire.
According to Slippery Rock firefighters, when their crew arrived, the vehicle was smoking, and when the engine was turned off, it stopped.
SRU officials said there were two damaged signs and damage to the ground in the area where the car overturned. In all, they said the damage is estimated around $800.
Police said McCartney smelled of alcohol when they spoke with him, and he admitted to drinking two “tall boys” of Miller Lite before going to Sheetz. Police said there also were open containers inside the car.
Police said a later breath test showed McCartney's blood-alcohol content at 0.084%, and in Pennsylvania a level of 0.08% or greater is considered intoxicated.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19 before District Judge Joseph Nash.
