A Carbon County man who led police on a two-county chase that ended when he crashed his vehicle, entered guilty pleas to five criminal charges on Tuesday afternoon in the county court.

Lawrence Michael Mustacchio, 62, of Lehighton, appeared before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II via video from the county prison to enter pleas to fleeing or attempting to elude police, a felony 3; driving under the influence, a felony 3; and misdemeanor counts of agricultural vandalism, possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine and the summary offense of driving under suspension - DUI related.

He was originally charged with 20 counts with all the other charges dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office.

He was arrested for an incident on Sept. 21, 2020.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper Ryan English of the Lehighton barracks:

At 1:52 p.m. Trooper Charles Inserra and English saw a red Ford Ranger failing to operate within a single lane of travel, crossing the double yellow and white lines multiple times while traveling south on Interchange Road in Towamensing Township.

At that time, English activated the emergency lights and siren in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop on Interchange Road at its intersection with Sei Pike Lane, but the driver, later identified as Mustacchio, failed to stop.

During the pursuit, Mustacchio led troopers through multiple fields, yards and parking lots throughout both counties.

At 2:15 p.m., Mustacchio was taken into custody after crashing into a tree in the rear of a home in the 400 block of Green Hill Road, Polk Township, Monroe County.

Police said Mustacchio was disheveled and under the influence of controlled substances, leading troopers to administer partial field sobriety tests to the extent that he was capable due to injuries resulting from the crash.

Mustacchio admitted to consuming prescription oxycodone, but would not answer when questioned specifically regarding methamphetamine use.

Mustacchio was found to be in possession of one gold storage tin containing about 0.70 grams of suspected methamphetamine; one gold storage tin containing about 1.50 grams of suspected marijuana; one clear/yellow/blue glass smoking device; and one red/gold metal smoking device.

At 3:11 a.m. Mustacchio was transported via West End Community Ambulance to St. Luke’s Monroe Campus to be treated for injuries sustained as a result of the crash.

Mustacchio refused chemical testing and was subsequently treated and discharged. He was then arraigned on the charges and committed to the county prison in Nesquehoning, failing to post bail.

Nanovic noted that the DUI charge carries a mandatory minimum prison term of one year with jail terms also in the guidelines for other counts.

Sentencing was deferred so Mustacchio can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation needed for the DUI count.