Burgettstown man allegedly ran sheriff’s vehicle off road
A Burgettstown man was arrested Monday on several charges by Mt. Pleasant Township police after he allegedly ran a marked Washington County sheriff’s vehicle off the road.
Brandon R. McGivern, 26, of Cherry Creek Road, is accused of forcing the sheriff’s vehicle, driven by off-duty Deputy Ronald Catrain Jr., off the road and almost causing it to hit a utility pole.
Police were called to the intersection of Westland Road (Route 519) and Sabo Road, where Catrain stopped McGivern. Township police spoke with McGivern and could smell a strong odor of alcohol. When police asked him to step out of the vehicle, the officer spotted brass knuckles in the door.
As township police Officer Daniel McMurtrie administered a field sobriety test to McGivern, Catrain spoke to the passenger. He could see a suspected crack pipe and marijuana on the floor behind the driver’s seat.
Police searched McGivern and found him with suspected marijuana, a pipe and six Xanax pills. He was taken to Washington Hospital for a blood test. McGivern told police he smoked marijuana and snorted Xanax earlier in the day. He also reportedly admitted he was drinking. Charges of driving under the influence are pending the outcome of the test.
McGivern was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson on charges of possession of a controlled substance, marijuana and paraphernalia, reckless endangerment, having a prohibited offensive weapon and several traffic violations. He was released from Washington County jail after posting $5,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for May 3 before District Judge Traci McDonald.