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MILLCREEK — A man who police say went through a school zone going more than 100 mph, and then ran from officers after hitting a patrol car, was arrested Monday.
Just before 8:30 a.m., a Unified police officer doing patrol on Highland Drive at a school zone near 3500 South spotted a motorcycle going "at least 100 mph," said Unified Police Sgt. Melody Cutler.
The officer followed the motorcyclist, who started obeying all traffic laws when he realized the officer was behind him, Cutler said. When the motorcycle turned onto 1300 East, the officer attempted to pull him over, she said. The motorcycle, which was being driven by James Joshua Crabtree, 44, stopped in the median as the officer positioned his patrol car near him.
But just as the officer was getting out his car, Crabtree tried to take off again. His motorcycle, however, hit the front tire of the patrol car as Crabtree attempted to speed away, knocking the bike over. Crabtree then ran from the scene. Officers chased him and he was taken into custody near 1655 East and 3700 South. When he was arrested, detectives found Crabtree was in possession of suspected drugs, and the license plate on his motorcycle was not registered to that vehicle, Cutler said.
According to court records, Crabtree was convicted of drug possession with intent to distribute in May and sentenced in June to probation. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Aug. 22 for failing to comply with the conditions of his probation, court records state.
In a separate collision, Cutler said a motorcycle belonging to a Unified police officer who had responded to the scene was rear-ended by another vehicle. That officer was not injured.
