Two men face drug charges after chase, crash
Two Washington men face drug charges after suspected heroin was found inside their vehicle that crashed while trying to flee from state police early Friday.
Russell Porter Jr., 22, of 980 Jefferson Ave., and Arthur Clifford Long III, 23, of 239 S. Lincoln St., were in a vehicle driven by Porter when two troopers on patrol stopped behind them at a traffic light on West Beau Street and North Franklin Street.
Police tried to stop the vehicle for an equipment violation, but instead Porter sped away. The pursuit continued until the vehicle fishtailed near the intersection of Manifold Road and Panorama Drive in South Strabane Township. The vehicle overturned on an embankment.
The two men were removed from the vehicle. Porter was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment. Long also was taken to a hospital but court documents did not indicate which one.
The wrecked vehicle was towed to a local garage. The tow truck operators spotted the suspected drugs near the passenger seat and notified police.
Police said neither Porter nor Long would admit ownership of the suspected heroin.
Porter was arraigned Monday before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin, fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving with a suspended license and numerous traffic violations. He was released on $25,000 unsecured bond.
Long was charged by summons from Redlinger’s officer with possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin and disorderly conduct.
The two men are scheduled for a Feb. 7 preliminary hearing before Redlinger.