May 4, 2016 2 min read

A Canonsburg man, already awaiting trial in Bedford County for allegedly ramming a state police cruiser earlier this year, was ordered Tuesday to stand trial in connection with a March 3 assault at a Canton Township motel.

William Shaw, 44, was ordered held for court by District Judge David Mark on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment filed by state police after he allegedly assaulted Julia Rose Gregg.

Troopers responded to America’s Best, 1385 W. Chestnut St., for the reported assault. Gregg told police she was getting ready to take a bath when Shaw became angry and started chasing her around the room. He allegedly prevented her from leaving the room and started punching her.

After the two left the room, Shaw reportedly told bystanders he had a gun. He appeared to reach between the seat and console of his car before speeding away, according to witnesses. Gregg suffered a broken nose and arm injury. She was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital for further treatment.

State police obtained a warrant for Shaw’s arrest that day. State police at the Somerset station spotted him in his car the following day at the Somerset Plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. They said he fled, driving around three marked state police cruisers and heading east on the turnpike. Police said he was driving at a high speed as he passed vehicles in the right lane, left lane and berm. The 49-mile pursuit ended when he allegedly rammed a cruiser and crashed at the Breezewood exit.

Shaw waived charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, fleeing or attempting to elude police and several traffic violations on March 16 before a Bedford County district judge.

Shaw was returned to Washington County jail on $500,000 bond set by Mark. He will be returned later this week to Bedford, where he was being held in that county’s jail on $1 million bond.