State police used a pursuit intervention technique to force this vehicle off Interstate 79 and end a chase that lasted for about 20 miles Wednesday morning, ending in Worth Township in Butler County.

WORTH TWP — 20-mile A suspected drugged driver was arrested Wednesday morning after state police say a trooper used a pursuit intervention technique, or PIT maneuver, to end a 20-mile chase over two counties.

Raymond C. Mistelske, 44, of Grove City is accused of deliberately hitting the same trooper's marked patrol car earlier in the chase, which ended in a crash on Interstate 79 in northern Butler County, according to investigators.

Mistelske is being held in Mercer County Jail on felony assault and other charges.

Police said the chase started about 7:30 a.m. in Jackson Township, Mercer County, after police tried to stop Mistelske for a minor traffic violation.

He led the trooper on a pursuit that eventually made its way onto I-79, going north and south, and exceeding 65 mph.

About one mile before the pursuit ended while southbound, Mistelske's vehicle traveled into the center median and then struck the side of the officer's cruiser.

The trooper a short time later, with no other vehicles around, conducted the PIT maneuver, which requires the officer to nudge the back of the evading vehicle, causing it to spin out and stop.

But before Mistelske's car stopped, police said, it rolled over at least one time, landing on its wheels.

Mistelske complained of pain but police said they saw no visible injuries. His car smelled of marijuana and investigators said there was “indication of marijuana usage.”

An ambulance crew tended to Mistelske before he was taken to Grove City Medical Center. Police said they obtained a blood draw and toxicology results are pending.

Mistelske was treated and later released into police custody.

He was subsequently arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, fleeing or attempting to elude police and six traffic violations.

He was placed in prison on $25,000 bail following arraignment.

Mistelske's criminal record shows he has two prior convictions in Allegheny County for attempting to elude police.

Additionally, he has felony convictions for burglary, drug possession, theft and receiving stolen property.