Franklin Man Accused of Hitting Gas Line Causing Dangerous Leak, Fleeing Scene Due in Court Wednesday

| September 30, 2019

SUGARCREEK BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – A Franklin man who allegedly struck a gas line, causing a dangerous leak, and then fled the scene is due in court on Wednesday.

Court documents indicate 26-year-old Brandon Paul Laing, of Franklin, is scheduled to stand for a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2.

He faces the following charges:

– Risking Catastrophe, Felony 3
– Criminal Mischief/Damage Property Intent, Reckless, Or Negligent, Misdemeanor 2
– Driving While Privilege Suspended Or Revoked, Summary
– Driving Without A License, Summary
– Operate Vehicle Without Required Financial Responsibility, Summary
– Accidental Damage To Unattended Vehicle Or Property, Summary
– Drive Unregistered Vehicle, Summary
– Vehicle Registration Suspended, Summary

The charges stem from an incident that occurred at a location on Canal Drive in July.

According to a criminal complaint, around 10:04 p.m. on July 10, Patrolman Johnson, of the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department, was dispatched to a location on Canal Drive for a report of a vehicle that had struck a gas line while backing up, causing a gas leak.

According to the complaint, Patrolman Johnson was met by a known male who related that Brandon Laing had been driving a vehicle in the field near the pump house and had struck the gas line causing it to leak. The man reported Laing then came to him and told him what happened, and he advised Laing to report the accident. The man stated that Laing then became very angry with him and an argument ensued. Laing then allegedly got into his vehicle and sped away.

The complaint notes that Patrolman Johnson noted the sound and scent from the gas leak could be detected several hundred feet away from the incident. Rocky Grove and Reno Fire Departments then both arrived at the scene and were able to get the leak under control.

According to the complaint, a check of Laing’s license and vehicle information found that Laing had a suspended license and the vehicle he was allegedly driving had a type F insurance cancellation.

Patrolman Johnson then contacted Laing and asked if anything had happened that night. Laing allegedly admitted to driving the vehicle and striking the gas line, causing the leak. When asked why he left the accident, Laing stated he knew his license and the vehicle were suspended. He also stated that after he left, he drove to his mother’s home. When asked if he could get a ride to the station to make a statement, he said he would be in later, but never showed up, according to the complaint.

When Patrolman Johnson spoke to Laing again the following week, Laing said he would be unable to come in due to being unable to find a ride, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, a claim from National Fuel Gas shows that the cost for the response from their employees was $617.32. The complaint notes the cost for the response from the fire departments was $192.20.

The complaint notes that the pump house is located at the end of a field, 237 feet from the edge of the dirt parking area in a field 92 feet wide, with a building to the left of the line that was struck. There is a driveway between the two buildings, and each of the buildings is raised several feet above the driveway. A driver has to make an effort to get to the buildings as they are at the end of an open field and are easily identifiable.

The charges were filed against Laing through Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey’s office on Monday, September 23.


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