A Lehighton man has been charged with fleeing police on a dirt bike earlier this month.

According to the affidavit filed by trooper Matthew Lento of the Pennsylvania State Police - Lehighton barracks in the case against Deric Sterling:

At 2:10 p.m. Sept. 4, Lento was attempting to turn left onto Route 209 when he saw a black and green dirt bike operated by Sterling, 19, traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 209 north. Sterling crossed the double yellow line and passed a vehicle in the oncoming lane.

Lento initiated a traffic stop but Sterling continued on 209 and made a right turn onto Stable Road without using his turn signal, and rode through a yard. He continued west on Strohl Valley Road, drove through the grass and across the parking lot of The Old Homestead Tree Farm, reentered the roadway and crossed over both lanes to continue through the grass at the tree farm.

Lento continued pursuit of Sterling but lost sight of him.

Several troopers went to a home on Preachers Camp Road in an attempt to locate Sterling. Sterling’s father directed Lento to his garage where Sterling stores his dirt bike.

Police located Sterling at a residence near Stable Road. Sterling abandoned the dirt bike in thick brush on the property.

Lento confirmed the dirt bike was the one Sterling was fleeing on, was not registered, and did not have insurance.

A query of Sterling’s PA driver’s license revealed his license is DUI suspended and is not legally permitted to operate a motor vehicle.

Sterling faces charges on four counts of disregard traffic lane, three counts each of passing where prohibited and fail to signal; two counts of trespass by motor vehicle, and one count each of fleeing/attempting to elude officer, resisting arrest/other law enforcement, driving without a license, operation of vehicle with suspended or revoked license, driving at safe speed, driving unregistered vehicle, duties at stop sign, careless driving, reckless driving, abandoning vehicle on public/private property, failure to yield right of way, and operating vehicle without required financial responsibility.

Sterling is currently free in lieu of $20,000, 10% bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge William J. Kissner of Palmerton.