Man who led police on chases gets prison time

A Summit Hill man who led police on two chases was sentenced to a county prison term on Friday in Carbon County court.

Frederick Charles Evans Jr., 41, was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve two to 23 months on a charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police. He was convicted by a jury of the charge. Before the sentencing on that charge, Evans entered a guilty plea to another count of fleeing or eluding for an incident on Jan. 25 in Summit Hill.

On the second count he was sentenced to serve two to 23 months concurrent with the first count.

Defense attorney Christopher M. Shipman told the court in both incidents the fleeing was at a very low rate of speed. He said no one was placed in danger in either fleeing incident.

In the first incident, which occurred Sept. 20, 2017, officer Todd Woodward said he followed Evans for about six blocks with emergency lights and siren activated but Evans did not stop. Evans drove to his residence at 38 E. Richards St., got out of his truck and ran into his home. He then barricaded himself in the home. He eventually came out and surrendered to police.

Matika said he is familiar with Evans and his history of mental health problems. Shipman said he is getting counseling for his issues.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Gazo, who prosecuted the case, said borough police are concerned because the fleeing incidents happened twice, a few months apart. He said he realizes Evans needs help, but he said a prison term is also warranted.

In addition to the jail term, Matika ordered Evans to get a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, render 75 hours of community service when paroled, pay court costs of about $1,000, and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole.

He began the jail term at 9 a.m. on Monday.