Man receives 144 charges for leading police on high-speed chase

Sunbury, Pa. — A Winfield man was arrested after he fled from police at speeds of more than 150 mph during a traffic stop in Sunbury.

Sunbury Police Officer Riley Bremigen pulled over Thomas Donrfrancesco the night of June 7 after he noticed the white 2008 BMW 650i he was driving had a headlight out. Donrfrancesco, 51, told police he was heading to his girlfriend's house. Bremigen noticed a scale with a powdery substance inside the car and a bag of a white powdery substance which he believed to be cocaine, according to the affidavit.

When police asked Donrfrancesco to step out of the car, he asked "for what" and then put the car in drive and took off at a high rate of speed. Donrfrancesco sped through the streets of Sunbury, traveling on North Fifth, Market, and Front streets at more than 100 mph. Bremigen noted that Donrfrancesco narrowly avoided crashing into oncoming traffic as he entered the Veterans Memorial Bridge driving more than 110 mph, according to the affidavit.

Donrfrancesco then headed into Snyder County on Routes 11/15 and crossing back into Northumberland County onto Route 147, traveling at a maximum speed of more than 150 mph. Bremigen pursued Donrfrancesco, but had to terminate the chase when he had engine trouble near Milton. Police lost sight of Donrfrancesco on Broadway Street in Milton, according to the affidavit.

During the pursuit, Donrfrancesco endangered the occupants of more than 20 vehicles and blew through several stop signs and traffic lights, according to the affidavit.

Donrfrancesco was later located and arrested on June 28 on 144 charges including felony fleeing or attempting to elude officer, flight to avoid apprehension, criminal mischief-damage property, misdemeanors of recklessly endangering another person, and various traffic summaries.

Donrfrancesco remains in Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for July 9 at the office of District Judge Rachel Wiest-Benner.

Docket Sheet