FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – An Oil City man charged with fleeing police and DUI following a recent traffic stop in Sugarcreek Borough is facing a hearing on Wednesday.

According to court documents, a preliminary hearing for 31-year-old Casey Gerald Eckstrom, of Oil City, is scheduled for Wednesday, February 6, at 1:30 p.m. in front Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish.

Sugarcreek Borough Police filed the following charges Eckstrom on December 27:

– Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Officer, Felony 3
– DUI: General Impairment/Inc of Driving Safely – 1st Offender, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
– Driving w/o Light To Avoid Ident. Arrest, Summary
– Reckless Driving, Summary
– Careless Driving, Summary
– Exceed Max Speed Limit By 21 MPH, Summary
– Safety Restraints – child under 2 years, Summary
– Restrictions on Alcoholic Beverages, Summary

He is currently free on $2,500.00 monetary bail posted by a professional bondsman.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, Patrolman Johnson was on a routine patrol on December 27 around 7:00 p.m. when he clocked a red SUV traveling 56.7 MPH in a 35 MPH zone.

Patrolman Johnson immediately began a pursuit of the vehicle. A short time later, the vehicle “braked hard” and made a left turn on Egbert Street without using a turning signal.

The criminal complaint states that the driver “braked hard” again and turned the vehicle’s lights off as Patrolman Johnson turned onto Egbert Street.

The vehicle traveled approximately 75 feet with its lights off before turning into a private driveway.

Patrolman Johnson pulled into the driveway and conducted a traffic stop. When he approached the driver, he immediately noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle.

The driver – identified as Casey Eckstrom – failed various field sobriety tests, according to the criminal complaint.

Eckstrom was taken into custody and transported to UPMC Northwest where he consented to a blood draw.

Drug paraphernalia was also found in the vehicle, according to police.

He was arraigned before Judge Fish on December 27 at 11:00 p.m.

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