FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – A Franklin man accused of fleeing the police and crashing into a cement wall at Joy Global earlier this summer will appear in court next week.
(Photo by Michelle Williams)
According to court documents, 33-year-old Travis A. Semrau is scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23, for a preliminary hearing in Venango County Central Court.
He faces the following charges:
– Aggravated Assault By Vehicle While DUI
– Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, Felony 3
– Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Officer, Felony 3
– DUI: General Impairment/Incompetent of Driving Safely – 1st Offense
– DUI: Highest Rate of Alcohol (BAC .16+) 1st Off
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
– BAC .02 or Greater 2nd Offense
– Required Financial Responsibility
– Reckless Driving
– Permitting Violation – Accident Involving Death/Injury – Not Properly Licensed
– Display Plate Card In Improper Vehicle Driving Unregistered Vehicle
– Drive Wrong Way
– Obedience to Traffic-Control Devices Duties At Stop Sign
– Driving at Safe Speed
He is currently free on $75,000.00 unsecured bail.
Details on the Chase, Subsequent Crash
According to a criminal complaint, around 12:40 a.m. on June 1, Franklin Police Patrolman Barnes was conducting a state-sponsored traffic enforcement detail known as “Buckle Up” or “Click It or Ticket” when he observed a red Ford Mustang operated by Semrau.
Semrau allegedly committed several traffic violations including nearly hitting a parked car in the 1300 block of Franklin Avenue.
When Patrolman Barnes attempted to stop Semrau, he fled the area at a high rate of speed in the Mustang, and a pursuit was initiated. The brief pursuit reached speeds of between 80 and 90 miles per hour from the 1500 block to the 1200 block of Buffalo Street.
The pursuit of the suspect vehicle was called off in the 1200 block of Buffalo Street due to the pursuing officer losing sight of the vehicle, most likely due to the vehicle’s lights being turned off. Patrolman Barnes also cited the increased risk of both vehicles being involved in an accident.
All available patrol units shifted efforts into a search for the suspect vehicle. Search efforts were concentrated in the area where the Mustang was last seen.
While the search was being conducted, Venango County 911 dispatched Franklin Police, Franklin Fire, and Community Ambulance Service to the intersection of 4th Street and Buffalo Street for a report of a vehicle accident.
It was reported by 911 that the vehicle involved matched the description of the suspect vehicle and that it had hit a building at Joy Global Inc. on Buffalo Street at a high rate of speed. When officers arrived on the scene, it was confirmed that the vehicle involved in the accident was the same one involved in the high-speed chase.