Feb 14, 2014 2 min read

State police filed charges against two men for allegedly racing their vehicles on a Canton Township road last summer, an incident that ended when one of the cars went off the road and crashed into several trees.

Facing charges are James Matthew Sarasnick III, 26, of 143 Dague Hollow Road, Scenery Hill, and Billy Ray Cox, 25, of 607 Wayne St., Canton.

State police said the two drivers reportedly lined up their vehicles next to each other near 1221 S. Hewitt Ave. about 10:20 p.m. June 19. Sarasnick was driving a Pontiac Grand Am, while Cox was operating a Chevrolet Corsica. Police said the two vehicles raced along South Hewitt, a winding road, and went through a stop sign at the intersection with McClay Road.

Sarasnick’s car went off the road as he attempted to negotiate a left curve. The Grand Am hit three trees, spun sideways and rolled onto its roof, coming to rest in the southbound lane of South Hewitt.

Sarasnick and his passenger, Leah Poland of Canton, then got into Cox’s vehicle, police said.

South Strabane Township police stopped Cox’s vehicle at Humbert Lane and North Main Street. Poland and Sarasnick were taken to Washington Hospital. A 16-year-old runaway boy also was in Cox’s car, police said.

Poland, who suffered a laceration on her head, reportedly told state police that she and Sarasnick were at her house drinking when Cox and several other people came over. She said Cox and Sarasnick wanted to have a race, which began near her home.

A warrant was obtained for Sarasnick’s arrest on charges of accidents with injury while not properly licensed, reckless endangerment, driving under suspension, racing on highways and several traffic violations. Charges of reckless endangerment, racing on highways and several traffic violations were filed against Cox and will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge David Mark.