A Slatedale man has been charged with assaulting a police officer during a high-speed pursuit.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by officer Dane O’Brien of the Palmerton Borough Police Department in the case against Randall Fitzgerald:

At 7:47 p.m., O’Brien and officer Derrek Koch were on patrol in the area of Delaware Avenue and Fourth Street when a silver Sedan was seen traveling toward Route 248 on Delaware Avenue with a faulty exhaust system and ornamental lighting.

The vehicle also had an inoperable third brake light and was traveling at a high rate of speed, so O’Brien attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the 100 block of Delaware Avenue.

The vehicle failed to yield and proceeded onto Route 248 east, where it nearly struck two vehicles while making a reckless lane change in the area of the cantilever.

The vehicle then proceeded onto Route 873 and merged onto Mountain Road still traveling at a high rate of speed.

While following the vehicle on Mountain Road in the area of Rextown Road, the vehicle began to trail another vehicle.

Due to safety concerns, O’Brien positioned his vehicle in the opposing lane and pulled in front of the vehicle in question to bring it to a halt. As a result, the vehicle did come to rest without impact.

O’Brien immediately approached the vehicle and attempted to remove Fitzgerald, 20, at which time a struggle ensued.

Fitzgerald held O’Brien, placed his vehicle in reverse, and began accelerating in reverse while dragging O’Brien for a short time period.

O’Brien was able to be freed by using hard hand strikes to the driver’s face.

At this time, the vehicle was now stopped and began revving the vehicle’s engine toward O’Brien.

The vehicle turned around, shut off its lights and proceeded to accelerate toward Route 873 at a high rate of speed, before it turned onto Rextown Road traveling toward Slatedale with its lights still turned off and traveling at a high rate of speed.

As a result of the preceding events, legal intervention was attempted about four times, and was successful in the area of Williams and Jonas Street.

The vehicle spun out, striking a nearby parked car and O’Brien’s cruiser struck a parked car.

As a result, O’Brien immediately exited the vehicle and attempted to take Fitzgerald into custody.

Fitzgerald was taken into custody with the assistance of a bystander after utilizing substantial force to overcome his resistance.

Fitzgerald began stating that people were chasing him, exhibited dilated pupils for the present light condition, and exhibited rancid breath that are all consistent with methamphetamine use.

As a result, a request for assistance was made for the Pennsylvania State Police - Bethlehem barracks and emergency medical services.

During the course of the investigation, a front seat passenger was observed and was subsequently taken into custody. The passenger was later identified to be a juvenile.

Both individuals were then transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest Hospital, to be evaluated.

Patrolman William Borst with the Slatington Police Department escorted Fitzgerald to the hospital due to being in custody.

Upon arrival, O’Brien located Fitzgerald and Borst in the emergency room.

A short time later, Fitzgerald was discharged, at which time O’Brien informed him that he displayed various indicators of drug-related impairment during the incident in question and was requested to submit to a blood draw.

Fitzgerald acknowledged receipt of his rights, but refused chemical testing.

Fitzgerald faces charges of aggravated assault; fleeing or attempting to elude police officer; endangering the welfare of children; driving under the influence of controlled substance; recklessly endangering another person; resisting arrest; driving without lights to avoid identification or arrest; careless driving; reckless driving; and drivers required to be licensed.

He is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $75,000 monetary bail, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge William J. Kissner of Palmerton.