Trending
From Staff Reports
LEWISTOWN -- A 27-year-old man who led police on a high-speed chase that ended on Electric Avenue Thursday morning was charged with fleeing from police.
Michael A. Torrence, of Lewistown, was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Kent Smith Thursday evening. In addition to eluding officers, he was charged with resisting arrest, driving under the influence and related summary traffic offenses.
According to the Affidavit, police attempted to pull Torrence over when he was found speeding on US Highway 322 East in Brown Township.
Police said Torrence, who was driving a white Chevrolet Impala, was weaving between lanes, passing other traffic and following too closely to other vehicles.
The chase continued onto South Logan Boulevard and onto Electric Avenue where police attempted to limit the vehicle's movement, however Torrence was able to escape, continuing onto Valley Street. Police said Torrence began traveling into the oncoming traffic lane to pass other vehicles and that he continued the wrong way down a one-way intersection of Valley and Walnut streets, then continuing the wrong way on East Market Street
Due to civilian consideration, police said they slowed down and lost sight of the vehicle as it turned onto North Juniata Street.
Police said they traced the vehicle's registration back to an address on State Street where Torrence was located.
Officers noticed the smell of burnt marijuana omitting from the vehicle and cigar wrappers commonly used for smoking marijuana in the center console.
The report says Torrence appeared to be sluggish and spoke slowly at a low tone, keeping his head down during the conversation.
Torrence was taken to Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital to submit a blood draw.
Torrence is being held in Mifflin County Correctional Facility, unable to post $100,000 bail. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing set for
9 a.m. March 8.