Claysburg Man Facing Charges After Leading Police on Chase

A Claysburg man is facing charges after an attempted traffic stop led to a vehicle chase through two counties.

According to charges filed by Freedom Township Police, on Jan.12, an officer attempted to pull over Chris L. Steele, 48, after he was spotted in the area of Dunnings Highway and Woodbury Pike driving a vehicle with a broken brake light. The officer also noted that he was familiar with Steele and knew his driver’s license was under suspension.

According to police, instead of stopping, Steele drove south on Dunnings Highway and turned west onto Johnstown Road. Police said Steele accelerated up Johnstown Road, prompting the officer to notify the Blair County 911 Center that he was in pursuit.

Police said Steele continued west on Johnstown Road into Portage, Cambria County, before making a series of turns that put him back on Johnstown Road going east.

According to police, Steele then turned east onto Knob Road, Greenfield Township, Blair County, before turning south on Knob Road toward Blue Knob Ski Resort. Police said Steele then turned onto State Forest Highway and continued south and traveled approximately one mile before losing control and crashing into an embankment.

Police said Steele then backed up and continued back south onto State Forest Highway before losing control again and crashing into a tree, losing a wheel off the vehicle.

Police said the pursuit covered approximately 27 miles.

After taking Steele into custody, police asked him why he fled, and he allegedly stated he ran because he was aware that he was driving under a suspended license. When police asked him if there was any controlled substances or other contraband in the vehicle, Steele allegedly told them he had approximately two grams of methamphetamine and a scale.

Police impounded the vehicle and said they are obtaining a search warrant to conduct a search.

Steele is facing a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police and summary charges of driving on a suspended license, careless driving, reckless driving, failure to drive at a safe speed and driving without a license.

He was arraigned by Martinsburg Magisterial District Judge Andrew Blattenberger and released on $40,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for today, Jan. 21, in front of Blattenberger.