Joanna Wetzl

A Slippery Rock Borough Police officer said he was surprised to find an intoxicated driver so early on a recent Saturday night.

Officer Nick Graham testified Wednesday during a preliminary hearing in Slippery Rock about his encounter with Joanna K. Wetzl, 34, of Mercer on Feb. 8. Wetzl faces a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and driving under the influence. She also was cited for disregarding traffic lanes.

During his testimony, Graham recalled pulling onto North Main Street in Slippery Rock behind a blue Toyota Tacoma.

“I wasn't expecting anyone to be intoxicated at this time,” Graham said.

He said that he noticed the pickup crossed the yellow line, and all four tires remained on the wrong side of the line for about a quarter-mile.

At first, he said, he activated his lights to pull the driver over, but when the car didn't stop, he activated his siren.

And with that, the “vehicle took off,” Graham said. He testified that the chase reached speeds of 82 mph and lasted for about 1.4 miles. The chase ended when the driver suddenly stopped just outside of the borough in the middle of Mercer Street.

“I had no idea what I was dealing with,” Graham said, who called for backup.

When he pulled up to the car, he said he was faced with Wetzl.

“She was so incoherent I couldn't tell if she was high or drunk,” Graham said.

Graham said Wetzl told him she had a few beers that night at a local bar.

After giving her road tests and determining she was drunk, he testified that he told Wetzl he wouldn't arrest her that night, and had her call someone she knew to pick her up. He said he was afraid of Wetzl driving away, so he took her car keys.

Police took her to the Slippery Rock University police station for a breath test, which she allegedly refused. Graham said he had to keep telling Wetzl to sit down.

“I pleaded with her to sit,” he said. “She was so highly intoxicated she wouldn't take no for an answer.”

Graham said when they attempted to put her in handcuffs, she resisted and it took three officers to get her hands behind her back.