DUI charges filed after October chase in Scott Twp.

Joseph Kohut, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·2 min read

Nov. 19—A man whose drunken chase through the Upvalley last month ended in a Scott Twp. ditch is charged with fleeing and driving under the influence, police said.

Jordan William Campbell, 19, was under the influence of marijuana and had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.124% on Oct. 21, Scott Twp. Patrolman James Bassani said in a criminal complaint filed Thursday. A BAC above 0.08% is considered intoxicated.

The next day, Campbell asked to speak with Bassani and apologized for the chase that saw the officer's vehicle damaged. He told police he made a poor decision as a result of a bad day.

Campbell, of 412 Main St., Mayfield, fled from a traffic stop initiated by officers from Jermyn and Mayfield late on Oct. 21, Bassani wrote. Notified Campbell was driving west on Heart Lake Road through Carbondale Twp. toward Scott Twp., Bassani prepared to try and intercept him.

While Campbell was stopped at a stop sign on Koehler Hill Road and Montdale Road, Bassani tried to get in front of Campbell's truck and block him. Campbell sped off down Montdale Road as Bassani pulled alongside him.

Police pursued him as Campbell continued onto Jordan Hollow Road from Montdale Road and onto Heart Lake Road.

Officers continued the chase as Campbell, swerving back and forth, tossed a can of beer out of the window.

Campbell's truck exited Heart Lake Road into a parking lot. Bassani pulled alongside him and collided with Campbell's truck as he tried to reenter the roadway.

Campbell eventually crashed into a ditch near where Heart Lake Road intersects with Yankovich Road.

"That's my truck, that's my truck," Campbell lamented, according to police

Police said it was evident Campbell had been drinking. He responded that he had had "enough" when asked how much he consumed. Police also found drug paraphernalia in the truck, they said.

As EMS arrived, Campbell told them he had been messing with the police. He consented to a blood test.

Campbell faces charges for fleeing, DUI and for recklessly endangering other people, among other counts.

He is free on $20,000 unsecured bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 1.

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9100, x5187; @jkohutTT on Twitter.