Sep 20, 2016 2 min read

A Canton Township man who wrecked a motorcycle Sept. 13 while fleeing from police faces a laundry list of charges.

Christopher James Pierce, 32, of 244 Malone Ridge Road, led state police on a chase through Washington at speeds of up to 83 mph, according to court documents. A state trooper saw Pierce’s motorcycle had a license plate on it belonging to another vehicle. The trooper activated his emergency lights and Pierce pulled over in a parking lot at 336 E. Maiden St. He then sped off and led the trooper on a miles-long chase through the city and Canton Township. Pierce had a passenger, Lindsay Paige Vanriper, 28, on his motorcycle.

Swerving along Hanna Street and onto Lang Avenue, Pierce failed to stop at several intersections and overtook vehicles in the opposing lane of traffic, police said. When Pierce turned onto South Main Street, his motorcycle forced an oncoming car onto the shoulder.

Pierce then ran several more red lights and nearly collided with oncoming traffic. Leading police onto Oak Grove Road, he negotiated a blind turn while passing several more cars before ultimately crashing into a car on North Hewitt Avenue. Both Vanriper and Pierce were thrown from the bike, but Pierce got up and ran from police.

A trooper deployed a Taser on Pierce and arrested him. Facebook posts show Pierce in a neck brace and complaining of a broken neck, but no treatment information was available in police reports. Vanriper was taken to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment.

Facing charges including fleeing police, reckless endangerment, causing an accident involving injury and speeding, Pierce was also driving without a valid motorcycle license or insurance, police said. Pierce told police he fled because he didn’t have a license.

Pierce is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Jay Weller at 1 p.m. Sept. 29.