ROCKY GROVE, Pa. (EYT) — A Franklin man charged in a December 7 police pursuit that ended in a fiery crash in Rocky Grove waived his preliminary hearing.
(Photos courtesy of the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department.)
According to court documents, 42-year-old Leslie Roy Lepley Jr., of Franklin, waived the following charges during a preliminary hearing in Venango County Central Court on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.:
- DUI: General Impairment/Incompetent of Driving Safely — 3rd Offense, Misdemeanor 1
- Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Officer, Felony 3
- Aggravated Assault By Vehicle While DUI, Felony 2 (three counts)
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2 (three counts)
- Duties At Stop Sign, Summary (13 counts)
The charges stem from a routine traffic stop late Thursday night on Lamberton Street in Rocky Grove.
On December 7 at 11:50 p.m., Sugarcreek Borough Senior Patrolman Joe Highfield attempted a traffic stop on a 1997 Toyota Camry sedan with four occupants.
According to police, the vehicle — operated by Lepley — fled and a pursuit ensued to Route 417 northbound through Dempseytown on Route 428. At the intersection of Route 428 and Davison Road, the vehicle being pursued traveled off the roadway at a sharp right curve and struck several trees before catching fire.
The fire was extinguished by police units, and medical treatment was rendered at the scene with Lepley being taken to UPMC Northwest to have blood drawn under the suspicion of being intoxicated. Lepley was admitted to UPMC Northwest after complaining of pain while en route to the hospital.