Jul 31, 2015 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – A man who led Cumberland Township police on a high-speed chase, driving with his headlights off on a foggy night at speeds exceeding 100 mph, was sentenced Wednesday by Greene County Judge Farley Toothman to one year of probation.

Mark J. Sokol, 35, of New Salem, pleaded guilty March 9 to fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person and numerous traffic violations.

Cumberland Township police Officer Bryan Smith attempted to stop Sokol’s pickup at 3:10 a.m. Sept. 28, after he saw Sokol run a red light on Route 88 at Route 21.

Sokol drove east on Route 21 while Smith followed with his lights and siren activated. Sokol accelerated to speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour and turned off his headlights, Smith said.

Smith was able to get the license plate number of Sokol’s truck before he slowed his pursuit because of the high speeds and the heavy fog.

The officer said he lost sight of Sokol’s vehicle after Sokol turned left onto Bukavitz Farm Road in German Township, Fayette County.

Smith, accompanied by state police who were called to assist, went to Sokol’s residence and found the truck in an alley near the home. However, no one answered the door at his residence.

Smith said he was able to identify Sokol as the driver of the vehicle by surveillance camera video at Sheetz at the Route 88 and Route 21 in Cumberland Township. Sokol had been at the store just before he fled from police.