Philadelphia man who led police on high speed chase enters plea
A Philadelphia man, who led police on a high speed chase, entered guilty pleas on Tuesday in Carbon County court before Judge Joseph J. Matika.
Malik A. Hodges, 23, pleaded guilty to charges of fleeing and eluding (a felony three), along with counts of driving under the influence (DUI) of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, and summary offenses of reckless driving, criminal mischief, driving under suspension, careless driving, and restrictions of alcohol.Hodges was arrested after leading state police on a high speed chase that ended when police forced him off the road.The incident, which occurred on Nov. 10, 2012, began at the turnpike interchange in Kidder Township and continued southbound on the turnpike through Carbon County into Lehigh County.Hodges exited the turnpike at the Lehigh Valley interchange and fled eastbound on SR222. A state police trooper then rammed Hodges vehicle while on SR222 forcing it to spin out and leave the road and land in the median, where Hodges was taken into custody.A trooper was injured in the incident but has recovered. Troopers said speeds reached 110 miles-per-hour during the chase.After stopping Hodges police detected the order of alcohol and burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle and the defendant.Hodges also is facing a parole revocation proceeding in Philadelphia County.On the fleeing and eluding charge Matika sentenced him to serve 11 to one day less 24 months in the county prison. On the DUI charge he was sentenced to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, a fine of $1,000, and a one year license suspension. On the possession count he was sentenced to serve 15 to 30 days. All the sentences run concurrent to each other. Hodges was given credit for a total of 164 days spent in jail to date on the charges.He was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, render 100 hours of community service when released on parole, zero tolerance imposed on D&A use, and make total restitution to the state of $5,405.36 for damages to state police cruisers. He must also pay court costs and a $50 per month supervision fee when released on parole.