Monroe County man leads police on high-speed chase

A Monroe County man is facing several charges after he led state police on a high-speed chase over the past weekend.

State police at Lehighton said about 10 p.m. on Saturday troopers attempted to stop a 2000 Volkswagen sedan being operated along Route 209 at Weir Lake Road in Chestnuthill Township for traffic and equipment violations.

The driver failed to stop and a pursuit began. During the 13-mile chase, speeds exceeded 100 mph, troopers said, as the driver fought to keep control of his vehicle. The driver was eventually stopped in the area of Mount Eaton and Rolling Hills roads in Ross Township.

The driver was identified as Kenneth John Derose Jr., 32, of Brodheadsville. He was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and taken to the county prison in Snydersville. He has been charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, driving while under suspension-DUI related, reckless and careless driving, and multiple summary traffic violations.