W-B man arrested on charges he hit police car with ATV

Denise Allabaugh

State police arrested a Wilkes-Barre man Friday after he allegedly struck a police car with his all-terrain vehicle, fled into the woods and then later hid in his basement.

John Slusarik III, 36, of Sheridan Street, was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Michael Dotzel on charges of terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, accidents involving damage to an attended vehicle or property, driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, unlawfully operating an ATV on a street or highway, careless and reckless driving, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, driving on the right side of the roadways, public drunkenness and similar misconduct.

According to state police affidavit, Slusarik was outside Laurel Run Estates arguing with his ex-girlfriend Jessica Cornell and her current boyfriend David Koviack. They called police just after 6:20 a.m. because Slusarik was screaming, banging and kicking her current boyfriend’s front door.

After Cornell told Slusarik to leave, he kicked in Koviack’s screen door and threatened to kill them, police said.

Slusarik fled in an unregistered ATV before police arrived. Slusarik returned on the ATV and police were called a second time.

As police arrived, Slusarik was leaving at a high rate of speed, traveling south in the northbound lane of the road leading into Laurel Run Estates. He crested a hill and struck state Trooper Jerome Yeninas’ responding police car in the passenger side front corner and then fled into the woods.

Police did not locate Slusarik in the wooded area, but found him later hiding in his basement.

When he was arrested at about 9:30 a.m., police said he was highly intoxicated.

Source: http://www.citizensvoice.com/articles/2009/03/28/news/wb_voice.20090328.t.pg6.cv28cdatv_s1.2405310_top8.txt

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