Man Admits To 'Smoking Blunt' After Dramatic Police Chase
CHURCHILL (KDKA) -- A man is facing a string of charges after a dramatic chase from McKeesport to Churchill Friday night.
A criminal complaint states that Andre Lamont Johnson, 27, was driving down Fifth Avenue in McKeesport when officers noticed the smell of burnt marijuana coming from his Ford Taurus. The police followed Johnson, who ignored lights and sirens and sped down Route 837.
Officers say Johnson tried to force cruisers into oncoming traffic by hitting them.
The chase continued at speeds upwards of 60 miles per hour through Homestead, across the Homestead Grays Bridge and onto the Parkway East. Officers say Johnson collided and nearly collided with many cars.
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The Ford Taurus eventually lost one of its wheels and collided with a police vehicle at the Churchill exit.
Johnson ran on foot towards Beulah Road, and police released a K-9 officer who caught him. Despite being apprehended by the dog, police say he continued to struggle and a stun gun was used to subdue him. Medics determined that Johnson did not suffer any serious injuries.
According to the complaint, that's when Johnson said, "I didn't have any guns. All I was doing was smoking a blunt."
He is facing a long list of charges including reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving under the influence, and resisting arrest.
The incident created traffic back-ups on the outbound side of the Parkway.
