High speed chase in Union, Snyder counties leads to criminal charges
Apr. 12—MIFFLINBURG — A Selinsgrove man allegedly led police on a high-speed chase through Union and Snyder Counties while driving high on drugs on April 8, according to state police in Milton.
When the pursuit finally ended after 10 miles, Jeffrey Brice Snyder, 44, of Fetter Road, Selinsgrove, was allegedly found with a stolen firearm out of Florida as well as multiple drugs and controlled substances. He also had active warrants out for his arrest, police said.
Snyder was charged with five felony counts of fleeing, possession of a controlled substance, illegal possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and receiving stolen property; five misdemeanor counts of drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, unsafe driving while under the influence, recklessly endangering another person and resisting arrest; and eight summary traffic violations. The charges were filed by state Trooper Luke Hook, of the Milton State Police Barracks, in the Mifflinburg office of District Judge Jeffrey Mensch.
Hook reported he was conducting a routine patrol in New Berlin at 12:48 p.m. April 8 when he observed a silver 2013 Subaru Outback traveling south on Vine Street with a broken taillight. Hook followed the vehicle toward Route 304 and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver, later identified as Snyder, allegedly did not stop and accelerated onto New Berlin Highway. Hook pursued the vehicle on the highway, reaching speeds of 90 mph, police said.
The vehicle continued south onto North Main Street in Middleburg in Snyder County at a high rate of speed and failed to stop at stop signs. The vehicle then continued south onto Main Street, turned right onto South Wausau Road and then onto Paxtonville Road, police said.
The driver lost control, rotated 360 degrees and allegedly attempted to continue west on Paxtonville Road. Hook executed a successful PIT maneuver on the vehicle, which left the right side of the roadway and crashed into a tree, disabled the vehicle, police said.
The passenger, later identified as Kirsten Leigh Tyson, 30, of Mifflinburg, listened to Hook's commands and got on the ground. Snyder, on his knees, allegedly resisted Hook's attempt to handcuff him, police said.
Snyder was allegedly found with approximately 10 ounces of methamphetamines, three ounces of cocaine, a large amount of multi-colored MDMA (ecstasy) pills and material for cooking methamphetamines. Tyson was allegedly found with a digital scale, syringes, marijuana and a smoking device, police said.
A loaded Astra 357 revolver was allegedly found in the driver's side door. The firearm was stolen out of Florida, police said.
Snyder is a convicted felon who is not permitted to possess a firearm nor does he have a concealed firearm permit. He was found guilty in 2005 of possession with intent to deliver, police said.
Snyder allegedly admitted to using speed and methamphetamines. He refused to take a blood test at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, police said.
Snyder was arraigned on April 8 in front of Mensch and committed to Union County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 3 p.m. April 30.
No criminal charges have been filed yet on Tyson.
