Man is now facing charges in November chase, crash

An Albrightsville man is facing charges after he tried to hit two people in Nesquehoning before leading a police officer on a chase and crashing into a creek in November.

Nesquehoning police are filing charges against Justin William Cannon, 27, of Wylie Circle, for the incident throughout the borough last year.

According to an affidavit filed by patrolman Kyle Sabulsky, at 9:39 p.m. on Nov. 8, he was dispatched to New Columbus for a reported erratic driver.

The caller told 911 that a black Kia attempted to strike two pedestrians multiple times who were out walking their dog. Sabulsky reported that the dispatcher could also hear the vehicle spinning its tires while the caller was on the phone.

When police arrived at the location, the caller and her son told police about the incident before the son pointed out the vehicle that was traveling from West Marconi Avenue to Angelini Avenue.

Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the driver, later identified as Cannon, sped up and turned onto West Columbus Avenue. As the vehicle sped down the street, it hit an embankment and went airborne over the creek at the end of West Columbus Avenue.

Sabulsky went to the vehicle and found Cannon unconscious and with a head injury. He was flown to St. Luke’s University Hospital Bethlehem Campus for treatment and a toxicology test.

Fountain Hill Police assisted Nesquehoning at the hospital and learned that the man was Cannon.

Toxicology results later came back positive for fentanyl and midazolam, as well as a blood alcohol concentration of 0.176.

Cannon faces charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer; two counts of simple assault; recklessly endangering another person; driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of a controlled substance; failing to yield at posted stop signs; careless driving and reckless driving.