Oct 22, 2013 2 min read

McMURRAY – Peters Township police continue to search for the driver of a red van who led two police departments on a chase late Monday.

An anonymous motorist notified emergency dispatchers at 11:23 p.m. of a vehicle being driven erratically on Turkeyfoot Road in the vicinity of Trax Farm. The van was being driven toward Bebout Road, police said.

Peters Township police were unable to locate the van, initially described as a red truck, until a police officer was driving west on Bebout Road when the red van drove up behind his cruiser. The officer pulled to the side of the road and let the van go ahead, police said.

The driver of the van was traveling between 40 and 50 mph when it went through the Valley Brook and Bebout roads intersection, where it almost struck another vehicle.

Police continued to pursue the van on Thompsonville Road where, at the intersection with Old Washington Road, the van gained speed and began to weave across the road. It was then that police turned on lights and sirens. However, police said the driver continued, turning north on Washington Road into Upper St. Clair Township.

At South Hills Village, Peters Township police said the driver made an illegal U-turn on Washington Road and traveled south on Washington Road at speeds as high as 80 mph. By that time, Upper St. Clair police had joined the pursuit. With the high speed, police said the chase was called off and police lost sight of the van as it traveled south on Washington Road back toward Peters Township.

Later, the van was found abandoned on Old Washington Road between Thompsonville and Valley Brook roads. That section of road has been closed since mid-May for construction of a new ramp and intersection.

Police said the driver appeared to have fled on foot.

At one time, the van was being pursued by Upper St. Clair Township police and four Peters Township police vehicles. There were no injuries.