W.Va. man jailed after I-79 chase
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WAYNESBURG – A West Virginia man is accused of leading Pennsylvania State Police on a high-speed chase along a 12-mile stretch of Interstate 79 that reached speeds of 100 miles per hour Friday night.
Trooper James Babirad said he was using radar to time northbound traffic near the Waynesburg exit shortly after 8 p.m. when he clocked a pickup truck driven by Robert A. Hostinsky, 32, of Morgantown, traveling 88 mph.
The trooper attempted to stop the truck, although the driver continued traveling north on the interstate into Washington County. The driver “acknowledged I was behind him by pointing his finger at me” but he drove erratically and refused to stop, Babirad wrote in court documents.
Hostinsky eventually stopped his pickup truck just north of the Marianna-Prosperity interchange in Amwell Township. Police said he then got out of his vehicle and walked to the tailgate area. Hostinsky allegedly admitted to the trooper that he was drinking and also had drugs in his system, according to court documents.
Police said they also found a revolver in the center console, though Hostinsky does not have a license to carry it.
Police charged Hostinsky with carrying a firearm without a license, fleeing police, driving under the influence and numerous traffic violations.
District Judge Glenn Bates arraigned Hostinsky late Friday night and he was taken to Greene County jail on $25,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 29.