Lehighton Borough Council passed a motion to purchase a new 2019 Ford Interceptor SUV, for the amount of $34,943 for its police department.

The amount will be financed over two years.

The new SUV will replace a vehicle that was totaled during a suspect pursuit.

Lehighton Police Chief Brian Biechy told council the incident took place after a man ran through a DUI checkpoint.

According to court records, the incident happened on June 30.

“The two officers are fine, but he got away. He was wanted for state parole,” Biechy said.

During the pursuit an officer made a sharp left turn before crashing the vehicle.

The vehicle was declared totaled by insurance. The suspect was eventually detained.

David Frantz Jr. of Kunkletown, 36, faces charges on two counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, escape, recklessly endangering another person, maximum speed limits, careless driving, duties at stop signs and driving at an unsafe speed from the incident.

“He was caught jumping out of a second-story window in a different township,” Biechy said.

The police force will also receive a vehicle donated from All-Points Towing.

“It will be for specific police operations,” Biechy said.

“It’s donated and we can swap the car every other year or at the discretion of the board.”