Palmerton man sent to state prison after pleading to 5th fleeing count

A Palmerton man was sentenced to a state prison term on Thursday after pleading guilty to his fifth fleeing or attempting to elude police charge.

Cory J. Vazquez, 28, also pleaded to one count each of habitual offender and driving while under suspension — DUI related.

President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II sentenced Vazquez to serve a total of nine to 24 months in a state correctional institution. The term runs concurrent with a 4½ to 23 months term he is serving on a Lehigh County sentence. It was also noted that he was on state parole at the time of the incident and is facing a parole revocation that means additional prison time. He said he believed the state will have him serve a new term of six to nine months.

Vazquez was arrested on Aug. 14 by Palmerton police who attempted to stop his vehicle in the area of Mauch Chunk Road. Vazquez fled at a high rate of speed and failed to stop at three stop signs during the pursuit. He was eventually stopped and taken into custody.

Nanovic noted his prior fleeing and eluding convictions were rated felony 3s. He said he got a break when he was charged with a misdemeanor 2 in the instant case.

Vazquez told the court, “I realize I put people in danger. I realize I hurt my family.”

Public defender Paul Levy asked the court to sentence Vazquez at the low end of the standard sentencing range, which was six months.

Nanovic rejected that request stating he couldn’t ignore the four prior fleeing charges.

Nanovic also imposed a fine of $500 on the fleeing count and $500 on the driving under suspension charge. He ordered Vazquez to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment and pay court costs of about $1,000.

He was given credit for 44 days spent in prison on the charges.