TAYLOR TOWNSHIP – An out-of-state man was jailed after fleeing and attempting to elude state police on Saturday in Taylor Township, reported the state police at Philipsburg.
Joseph S. Labianca, 21, of Stuarts Draft, Va., was operating a Chevrolet Cavalier on Interstate 99 southbound at mile-marker 58.5 in Taylor Township. State police attempted a traffic stop for Labianca allegedly speeding at 103 miles per hour in a 65-miles-per-hour zone.
Labianca, however, fled from state police, getting off the Bald Eagle exit. He re-entered and continued southbound before getting off the Tyrone exit and traveling on Route 453 north toward Route 220. Labianca continued to travel south on Route 220 toward the Tyrone Amtrak station, according to the report.
At that point, the Labianca vehicle became stuck on the railroad tracks, as did the state police patrol vehicle. When Labianca was ordered out of the vehicle, state police found his sister and nephew inside. During the investigation, a Norfolk Southern train approached the scene.
Labianca and the victims were moved to safety. The train struck both of the vehicles, which caused severe damage, state police said. Also, state police noted that Labianca was lodged in the Centre County Jail for numerous offenses.