DUBOIS – The DuBois-based state police have initiated an investigation into a fleeing and eluding incident that involved a 28-year-old Falls Creek man, Dustin L. Douthit.
Yesterday, state police initiated the incident at the Falls Creek Sheetz Convenience Store in Sandy Township. It concluded in a wooded area along Smithtown Road in Washington Township.
On Monday, state police received an alert from the Reynoldsville Borough police about a suspect who fled from a traffic stop. Upon identifying the suspect as Douthit, police determined he had a suspended driver’s license.
Reynoldsville Borough police issued a be-on-the-lookout alert with Douthit’s vehicle information. Douthit was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado that was blue in color with damage to its passenger’s side. At that point, state police conducted a search for the suspect vehicle with negative results.
Yesterday, state police observed the suspect vehicle traveling north on state Route 219 in Sandy Township. State police performed a records check and determined the suspect vehicle was registered to Douthit. State police attempted a traffic stop at the Falls Creek Sheetz Convenience Store; however, Douthit failed to comply.
State police subsequently pursued the suspect vehicle, which entered onto SR 830 west into Falls Creek Borough. Douthit continued to travel at a very high rate of speed and committed several traffic violations. State police continued their pursuit through Winslow and Washington townships.
At that point, Douthit entered a private property along Smithtown Road and eventually traveled into a heavily wooded area. The suspect vehicle then became disabled due to the terrain, causing Douthit to flee on foot. Trooper 5, a state police helicopter, assisted in the attempt to locate Douthit.
The suspect vehicle was removed from the scene, state police said. It was also noted by state police that the appropriate charges will be filed against Douthit through the district court.