SUNBURY - A 21-year-old Wilburton man charged with numerous offenses relating to a May 7 chase in which he rammed the side of a Mount Carmel Township police cruiser pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to several charges, including a felony of fleeing or attempting to elude police.
Jeramy Allen Deeter, of 18 First St., who remains incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury, pleaded guilty to fleeing or attempting to elude police, one count of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under suspension and resisting arrest before Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage.
The fleeing charge is a felony of the third degree and carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment and $15,000 fine. The misdemeanor DUI charge, which reportedly is Deeter's first DUI offense, carries a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and $1,000 fine. The driving under suspension charge is a summary that carries a maximum penalty of 90 days imprisonment and $200 fine. The resisting arrest offense is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and $5,000 fine.
Northumberland County Assistant District Attorney William Cole, who is prosecuting the case, said Deeter also will be required to pay full restitution for damage done to a police car involved in the chase. The restitution amount will be determined before Deeter is sentenced within 90 days.
Additional charges of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, flight to avoid apprehension, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, a lighting violation, driving without insurance, criminal mischief and restrictions on alcoholic beverages will not be prosecuted at the time of sentencing.
The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Kelly Campbell.
Deeter was apprehended following the vehicle chase and ensuing foot pursuit that began at about 2:10 a.m. after Campbell observed Deeter driving erratically on the Locust Gap Highway.
Campbell, who suffered minor injuries after his police car was struck by the Jeep Cherokee operated by Deeter, underwent emergency room treatment at Shamokin Area Community Hospital before being released.
Deeter and three passengers in the Jeep Cherokee escaped injury.
The police car, which is a 2010 Dodge Charger, sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene.
The vehicle, which was purchased by Mount Carmel Township supervisors for the police department, had been in use since January and only had 14,000 miles on it.
The Jeep Cherokee sustained severe damage and was towed from the scene.