Drums man leads police on pursuit, strikes PSP cruisers
HAZLETON, Luzerne County – No one was hurt after a vehicle pursuit last night spanning five municipalities and two counties.
State Police at Hazleton said the pursuit began around 3:25am, when they attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations near Poplar Street in the City of Hazleton.
The vehicle, driven by Brandon Van Blargan, 28, of Drums, fled at a high rate of speed towards Carbon County, troopers said.
In Banks Township, the vehicle became stuck on a curb, at which point troopers converged on the vehicle. Van Blargan then put the car into reverse, struck a state police vehicle, then into drive, striking another cruiser — and nearly troopers themselves — before fleeing again.
Not far from that scene, a precision immobilization technique was used, bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop, at which point Van Blargan fled on foot.
He was taken into custody, and faces charges of DUI, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Harassment, Possession With Intent To Deliver, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Fleeing or Eluding Police, Resisting Arrest, and various traffic violations.
A passenger, who was not identified, was taken into custody for a warrant.
Troopers said the pursuit spanned five municipalities and two counties over a 23-minute period. In addition to the two police vehicles, Van Blargan also struck a garage, a road sign, and a parked car.
No one was injured in the incident.
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