A Bradford man is facing allegations that he fled from state troopers who tried to pull him over in Foster Township.
Michael M. Maddox, 25, of Bradford, was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Richard Luther on charges of flight to avoid apprehension, a third-degree felony; fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, a second-degree felony; and summary charges of reckless driving, careless driving and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
According to court records, at 2:11 a.m. Nov. 28, two troopers from Lewis Run were on patrol on Route 46 near Commerce Drive in Foster Township. A trooper noticed a red light hanging below the bumper of a pick-up truck. The troopers pulled out behind the truck to perform a traffic stop.
The truck — driven by Maddox — turned right onto Commerce Drive, and once it was on Commerce Drive, it began to accelerate quickly, the criminal complaint stated. Police activated the emergency lights in the patrol vehicle, and the truck turned right on Commerce Drive, continuing to accelerate.
Troopers followed the truck to the end of Commerce Drive with the lights and siren activated, and once they reached the turnaround spot on the road, a trooper was able to read the registration plate; Maddox was the registered owner, court records stated.
According to the complaint, the troopers tried to pull in front of the truck at the dead end, but the truck pulled in front of the patrol vehicle, nearly striking the front passenger side. Maddox drove through a large ditch, almost rolling the truck over, then fled back down Commerce Drive at a high rate of speed. Maddox traveled down a dirt road. At the end of the dirt road, Maddox drove down a steep embankment, again nearly rolling the truck.
Meanwhile, officers turned around, traveled down a dirt road and into a grassy field.
Maddox drove through the field and up a steep embankment, losing control of the truck at the top and becoming stuck on a log. He fled on foot, the complaint alleged.
Law enforcement from several departments were brought in to search for Maddox, but he was not found.
According to Lewis Run-based state police, a trooper pulled Maddox over at 8:07 p.m. Dec. 12 for a vehicle code violation.
The trooper ended up requesting Sweden Township Police Chief Bryan Phelps to come to the scene with his K-9, Jay, to search the vehicle. Police said they found methamphetamine, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.
Also, law enforcement took Maddox to McKean County Jail when they learned there was a warrant for him, police stated.
Maddox is in jail in lieu of $30,000 bail, and a preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 30.
