Carroll motorcyclist arrested
A Carroll Township man admitted to Monongahela police he made a mistake when he failed to stop but instead took off on his Suzuki Ducati motorcycle early Saturday, leading them on a chase.
Joshua C. DeRosa, 26, of 3754 Dry Run Road, Monongahela, was spotted about 3:45 a.m. riding his motorcycle on West Main Street by a city police officer who knew the motorcyclist had a suspended license.
Officer Dustin DeVault pulled in behind DeRosa and activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to get him to stop. DeRosa reportedly turned his head and looked back at the officer before accelerating to a high speed, police said.
While behind the motorcycle on West Main near Seventh Street, DeVault saw two vehicles in front of DeRosa. Police said DeRosa veered into the oncoming lane of travel and passed the two vehicles. The two vehicles pulled to the side of the road to allow the cruiser to pass.
DeRosa continued down the center lane of West Main before turning left onto Dry Run. DeVault got the cruiser in front of DeRosa, forcing him to turn into a convenience store parking lot. DeRosa stopped, stepped off the vehicle and removed his helmet.
After he was placed in handcuffs and put in the back of the cruiser, DeVault told police he messed up and “I don’t know why I just did that.” He reportedly told the officer he got scared because he had been drinking and did not want to get in trouble. DeRosa was taken to Monongahela Valley Hospital, where blood was drawn to determine his level of intoxication.
DeRosa was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson on charges of fleeing and eluding police, reckless endangerment, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, improper passing and several other traffic violations. He was placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 percentage bond. He is scheduled for a June 10 preliminary hearing before District Judge Mark Wilson.