State Police deployed a helicopter and troopers from two barracks to capture a motorist who allegedly fled a DCNR traffic stop on a closed trail at a state park in Schuylkill County earlier this month.
Gaberial Newerls, 24, of Elkton, Maryland, was taken into custody about two miles from the crash site following thesearch, according to court documents filed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
The incident began shortly before 10 a.m. on Jan. 16 when a DCNR ranger was notified of a gray or silver Audi driving at a high rate of speed on the closed Bear Hole Trail at Swatara State Park in Pine Grove Township.
The ranger reportedly intercepted the vehicle at the Swopes Valley Trailhead as it drove through the grass between two barriers to exit the trail. The ranger initiated a traffic stop, at which point Newerls exited the vehicle.
Newerls was reportedly ordered to get back in the car. When the officer approached the driver’s side, she detected a “strong smell of burnt marijuana.”
When the ranger requested a driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance, Newerls reportedly refused, said “Nah (BLEEP) that,” got back into his vehicle and sped off onto Swopes Valley Road.
A park maintenance worker later stopped the ranger to report seeing the vehicle crash into the woods approximately half a mile from the initial stop. The vehicle was reportedly found abandoned with long skid marks on the road indicating Newerls lost control on a sharp turn.
During a preliminary sweep of the crashed vehicle, officers say they found a partially burnt roach in the center console and an expired Texas identification card belonging to Newerls.
Authorities launched a search for the fleeing driver involving a State Police helicopter and units from two barracks. Newerls was located and apprehended at about noon in the area of Oak Grove Road and Old Forge Road, nearly 2 miles from the crash site.
Police noted Newerls had abrasions on his legs and knees and complained of sore muscles. He was evaluated by EMS but initially refused hospital transport. He later consented to a blood draw, which was administered at a local hospital that afternoon.
Newerls was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli later that night and charged with a felony count of fleeing police along with charges of reckless driving, driving without a license, DUI, and failing to report a crash.
Tarantelli set bail at $25,000 cash and remanded Newerls to Schuylkill County Prison, where he remains as of Jan. 25.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Judge Christian Lengel this Thursday.
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