WEST EARL TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
157 W. Metzler Road
Brownstown, PA 17508
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fleeing, Flight to Avoid Apprehension, Drug Related DUI, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Possession of Methamphetamine
West Earl Township, Pa – A Ephrata male was arrested and charges after fleeing from police while DUI, along with multiple other offenses.
On March 3, 2023 at 9:08PM, WEPD was made aware of a vehicle that fled from Northern Lancaster Regional Police Officer. NLRPD provided a vehicle description and the registration displayed on the vehicle. NLRPD also advised that the driver, Trevor Lamont McNeil (31YOA) had an active warrant for his arrest.
Officer Craig Johnson observed the vehicle in the area of Newport Road and Oregon Pike. Officer Johnson followed the vehicle, while requesting other units to respond to his location. Once Officer Josh Mertz arrived in the area, Officer Johnson attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the suspected vehicle.
The suspected vehicle started to slow his vehicle down as if the vehicle was pulling over, then tried to speed away. Officer Johnson was able to position his patrol vehicle in front of the McNeil’s vehicle. McNeil backed his vehicle up and turned down a side road trying to lose officers. Officers gave chase, while McNeil tried to elude them. McNeil’s vehicle struck Officer Johnson’s vehicle while trying to elude him, then McNeil also struck Officer Mertz’s vehicle before officers were able to box him in.
McNeil had a juvenile passenger inside the vehicle while he was trying to flee from police. Officers were able to get McNeil out of the vehicle and into custody. McNeil admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamines during the incident. McNeil was placed under arrest and taken to Ephrata Hospital for a blood draw. The juvenile was evaluated by EMS on scene as a precaution and released to a family member.
McNeil was transported back to WEPD’s station to be fingerprinted and photographed. After McNeil was processed and charges were completed, McNeil was transported to Lancaster County Prison, awaiting to be arraigned before a Judge.
Officer Johnson charged McNeil with (1) count of Fleeing or Attempt to Elude Police (F3), (1) count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (F3), (1) count of Flight to avoid Apprehension (F3), (1) count of DUI – Controlled Substance (M1), (1) count of Resisting Arrest (M2), (1) count of Accident Involving Damage to Attended Vehicle (M3), (1) count of Possession of Methamphetamine (M), (1) count of Reckless Driving (S), and (1) count of Driving While Suspended (S).
The public and media are reminded that all criminal charges are merely accusations and all subjects are innocent until proven guilty.
Jordan Byrnes, Public Information Officer
