SHENANGO TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — Police have a man in custody today after an overnight police chase through parts of Lawrence County ended with a crash in a construction zone.

The driver of the vehicle, identified by police as 54-year-old Norman Johnston III of West Pittsburg, has been charged with fleeing or attempting to elude, resisting arrest, recklessly endangering another person, aggravated assault, DUI and other traffic violations.

According to the Shenango Township Police Department, the incident started around 1:15 a.m. when a police officer tried to stop Johnston’s 1994 Buick Century for traffic violations at West Pittsburg Road and Moravia Street.

Police say Johnston refused to stop and led the officer on a lengthy chase that started south of West Pittsburg Road and onto Union Valley Road and Shenango Stop Road.

It then headed towards Ellwood City, and onto Old Pittsburg Road, Hollow Road northbound, back to Ellwood Road in Castlewood and finally onto Route 422 By Pass westbound.

The crash happened when the chase made its way into a construction zone near the Martha Street overpass. Police say Johnston’s vehicle went airborne where some concrete had been removed and then went about 100 yards through some rebar.

Johnston was treated for injuries at Jameson Hospital after being taken into custody.

He was arraigned and is being held in the Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.

His vehicle sustained heavy damage to the undercarriage and front and passenger sides during the crash.

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Shenango Township Police Department
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