A Carbon County man was sentenced to a state prison term on Monday afternoon on a total of eight criminal counts stemming from two high-speed chases that ended in a crash.

Christopher Allen Field, 29, of Summit Hill, was sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass to serve a total of 18 to 60 months in a state correctional institution. He previously entered guilty pleas 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 personal injury. He was originally charged with 43 criminal counts by state police at Lehighton for an incident on Jan. 30, 2020.

Field, who has been in the county prison since the day of the incident, expressed remorse. He appear via video conference from the county prison.

He told Serfass, “I’m just very grateful no one was hurt.” He added, “I recognize what I did and how serious it was.”

Assistant District Attorney Brian Gazo, who prosecuted the case, asked the court to impose a state prison term considering the facts of the case and the number of people who were put in danger by Field’s actions.

“He endangered countless people,” Gazo said.

Serfass agreed. He said he believes Field is remorseful but that the court has to take into consideration the nature of the offenses.

Serfass told Field, “You put a great many people in danger.”

Case history

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.

In addition to the prison term, Field faces a big restitution bill for damages of $10,484.62. He must also pay a fine of $1,000 and one-year license suspension for the DUI charge, get both a 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 409 days spent in prison to date on the charges.