Lemont Furnace ATV driver jailed after chase by state police

A Fayette County man suspected of driving an all-terrain vehicle while drunk was jailed Saturday after nearly hitting a state trooper, crashing into the trooper's patrol car during a subsequent chase and being found in possession of a stolen firearm.

Derek J. Walker, 23, of Lemont Furnace, is accused of nearly hitting Uniontown Trooper Douglas Rush along Yauger Hollow Road at Curry Hill Road in North Union at 12:02 a.m. as Rush was standing outside his car conducting an unrelated traffic stop, said Uniontown state police Cpl. Juan Curry.

A chase ensued and Rush found Walker along a side street off Yauger Hollow Road. Walker hit the front driver's side of Rush's police car and fled the scene, Curry said.

Rush continued the chase, but Walker sped away on the ATV and eluded capture, Curry said.

Multiple troopers responded to the area of the chase and Walker was found about 20 minutes later by another state trooper, Curry said. The chase continued until Walker lost control of the ATV, hitting a brick wall and rolling over, Curry said.

Walker was arrested and was found to be carrying a stolen gun, Curry said.

Police charged Walker with receiving stolen property, possessing an unauthorized firearm, aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding police, recklessly endangering another person, driving under the influence, causing an accident involving an attended police vehicle, and numerous summary violations, Curry said.

Walker was arraigned before South Union District Judge Joseph George and was committed to the Fayette County Prison in lieu of $25,000 straight cash bond, Curry said.

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Source: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/fayette/s_654521.html