YOUNGSTOWN — At least 14 people were injured Thursday evening when a U-Haul truck being pursued by police crashed on McCartney Road in Youngstown.
The driver, identified as Scott Pelton, 27, of Leavittsburg, was apprehended around 6:55 p.m. by city police after the vehicle, chased across the Pennsylvania state line by Pulaski Township police, came to a stop in the 2000 block of McCartney Road.
Pelton faces multiple charges in Youngstown, including two counts of felonious assault, a second-degree felony, and a first-degree misdemeanor charge of criminal damaging.
Authorities are also investigating the contents of the truck, which contained 30 to 60 tires. Transporting more than 10 tires without a license in the city is a felony offense.
In Pennsylvania, Pelton is charged with fleeing and eluding police, a third-degree felony, and two misdemeanor counts of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
He also faces charges of recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving.
Multi-State Chase Ends in Ohio
Lt. Chad Adams of Pulaski Township police said the pursuit began after Pelton rear-ended another vehicle and refused to stop.
The other vehicle followed him to a feed store parking lot, where Pelton reportedly damaged the store before fleeing again.
Pelton led police on a high-speed chase down U.S. 422 into Ohio, striking at least seven vehicles, including a utility pole and several parked cars at a car lot, before the crash on McCartney Road.
Among those injured were two juveniles and the driver of a church van. All were transported to St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Extradition and Additional Charges Pending
Pulaski Township police have requested Pelton’s extradition to Pennsylvania, with a hearing expected next week in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
It remains unclear if additional charges will be filed by Campbell and Coitsville police, who also assisted in the chase.
A Pulaski Township officer reported that Pelton narrowly missed hitting a township cruiser during the pursuit.
The investigation is ongoing.
