A Carbon County man pleaded guilty on Monday afternoon in the county court to eight criminal counts which were the result of him fleeing police and being involved in two crashes.

Christopher Allen Field, 29, of Summit Hill, entered pleas before Judge Steven R. Serfass to one count each of escape and flight to avoid apprehension, both felony 3s; and counts of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, fleeing or attempting to elude police and accidents involved damage or person injury. He was originally charged with 43 criminal counts by state police at Lehighton for an incident on Jan. 30, 2020.

According to troopers, at 6:25 a.m. Palmerton police Chief Randy Smith came across a one-vehicle crash on Spring Street at Mill Street in Bowmanstown. Field was the driver. His vehicle left the road and struck a large tree. At first Smith found him unconscious. Field then woke up and Smith asked for identification. Smith then went and checked on Field’s ID and learned he was wanted on a state parole violation. As Smith approached Field’s vehicle to take him into custody, he sped off. Smith had already called for backup.

A chase then ensued which traversed over several area roads and involved other police departments and state troopers. Speeds reached over 90 mph at one time during the chase.

Field eventually crashed his vehicle into another vehicle on Routes 248 and 209 in Franklin Township.

As troopers and other local officers were attempting to apprehend Field after the crash, he attempted to flee again, but was taken into custody on Bank Street, Franklin Township. Assisting on scene were Palmerton, Lehighton and Franklin Township police officers along with volunteers from the Lehighton fire and EMS unit.

Field entered his plea via video from the county prison where he has been an inmate since the day of the incident.

Serfass told Field that on the escape count alone, he faces a minimum jail term of somewhere between 12 to 18 months up to a maximum of 84 months. He also faces a big restitution bill.

Serfass deferred sentencing and ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report.