Mar 21, 2018 2 min read

A Washington man who failed to appear for his preliminary hearing Monday on drug and other charges filed against him earlier this year by state police is in Washington County jail on a bench warrant as he awaits arraignment later this week on a new set of charges.

Russell Isaiah Porter, 22, of 121 Poplar St., was placed in jail on the bench warrant Tuesday. He will be arraigned this week before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of flight to avoid apprehension, fleeing or eluding police and driving with a suspended license filed by a deputy with the Washington County sheriff’s office after a March 1 incident at Summerlea and Donnan avenues.

The deputy spotted Porter driving a vehicle in the area and knew he had a suspended license. When the deputy tried to stop him, Porter allegedly drove off at a high speed before pulling into a driveway on Sammy Angott Way.

Additional deputies responded, blocking Porter’s vehicle. Police said Porter backed up, almost hitting several deputies with his vehicle, before opening the door and running off in the direction of Summerlea.

The warrant was requested when Porter did not appear for his hearing before Redlinger on charges including possession with intent to deliver heroin, fleeing or eluding police and a number of traffic violations.

Porter allegedly sped away from troopers who tried to stop his vehicle Jan. 26 near West Beau and North Franklin streets in Washington. Police said the pursuit continued until his vehicle overturned on an embankment near Manifold Road and Panorama Drive in South Strabane Township. Porter and a passenger were taken to a hospital for treatment.