Aug 18, 2016 3 min read

A Smith Township man was arrested Wednesday by Mt. Pleasant Township police on charges including driving under the influence of a controlled substance and reckless endangerment after he allegedly fled during an attempted traffic stop last month.

Michael L. Preston, 37, of 937 Mary St., Langeloth, later crashed his car in Cross Creek Township after the officer broke off the pursuit, police said.

Preston was taken into custody at his home by township police with assistance of officers from Smith and Hanover townships and Washington County sheriff’s deputies.

Officer Richard Okavitch was on patrol July 16 on southbound Henderson Road (Route 18) near Martin and Elms roads when he spotted a red Ford Mustang going north at a high speed, passing several vehicles and even forcing Okavitch’s cruiser off the road. Okavitch had to come to a stop to avoid being struck.

As the driver passed, the officer said he recognized him as Preston and knew he had a suspended license. Okavitch turned his cruiser and was trying to catch up with Preston to stop him.

Police said he passed another vehicle, then turned left onto Avella Road (Route 50), went through a stop and continued speeding away. He passed several vehicles in a no-passing zone, police said. While going down Avella Road, Okavitch backed off in the hope of getting Preston to slow down, but the 37-year-old continued to accelerate, police said.

Once Okavitch entered Cross Creek Township, he was advised to break off the pursuit. He did so but continued to drive on Cross Creek Road. As Okavitch left a straightaway section of the road, he spotted the Mustang on its roof.

When the officer asked Preston why he fled, he allegedly responded, “What are you talking about?” Police said Preston refused to sit on the ground and tried to walk away.

He was then handcuffed and sat down. Preston was taken to UPMC-Shadyside hospital for treatment.

A witness told police the car had almost hit him head-on on Cross Creek Road.

Police said blood tests showed Preston had several drugs in his system, including cocaine, Alprazolam and Clonazepam.

Preston was arraigned before District Judge Traci McDonald on charges of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, fleeing or eluding police, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, driving with a suspended license, reckless and careless driving and several other traffic violations.

He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. He is scheduled for an Aug. 29 preliminary hearing before McDonald.