Car crashes into pool house while fleeing police

A Tamaqua man is in Schuylkill County Prison after trying to flee from Schuylkill Township Police on Monday night.

Chief Frank DiMarco was on patrol at 9 p.m. Monday when he saw two vehicles parked along old Route 209 between Reevesdale and Tuscarora. He went to check on the occupants to see if they needed any help. As he approached, the gold Chrysler Cirrus took off, heading west toward Tuscarora, at a high rate of speed.

The driver of the Chrysler refused to stop, traveling up over an embankment on Seneca Street. He failed to make the left turn onto Wyoming Street, instead slamming into a fence and pool house. Due to the speed of the fleeing car, the pool house was pushed off its foundation, causing about $6,000 in damage.

A passenger ran into a wooded area at the Tuscarora Fire Company’s picnic grove, while the driver was caught as he tried to exit through the driver’s side window. He was identified as Cory Whitley, 26, of Tamaqua.

A records check discovered outstanding warrants for Whitley’s arrest, from both Carbon and Schuylkill County authorities.

A search of the car found a scale with chunks of white residue, a large amount of clear plastic baggies and cash.

Whitley was charged with fleeing/eluding police, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, criminal mischief and several traffic violations.

The Chrysler was towed and impounded by Hope’s Towing of Tamaqua.

Also assisting at the scene were personnel from the Tamaqua and Port Carbon Police departments and troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police Barracks in Frackville.