APD: Teen nearly run over while escaping car during police chase in Altoona, one arrested
By Bill Shannon,
16 hours ago
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — An Altoona man is facing charges after police said he started a car chase where a teen was nearly run over trying to escape his car.
James Dubanik, 19 (Blair County Prison)
James Dubanik, 19, was arrested and charged with fleeing, reckless endangerment, driving under the influence, and a slew of traffic violations after police spotted him in the area of Penn Lincoln Elementary School around 11 p.m. Thursday.
According to the criminal complaint, Altoona police spotted a vehicle — Dubanik later identified as the driver — stopping at an intersection where he didn’t have a stop sign. Police said he then turned and began driving on the wrong side of the road. Officers then attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
During the pursuit, Dubanik was seen losing control and driving on a sidewalk at a high rate of speed, police noted in the charges.
As Dubanik slowed at a stop sign, the passenger, later identified as a 16-year-old, tried getting out of the car. According to the affidavit, Dubanik attempted to speed off again, knocking the teen to the ground and nearly running them over.
Police said that Dubanik made it to Pleasant Valley Boulevard and nearly escaped before they were able to find him again and get him to pull over.
According to the complaint, police spoke to the teen who said they asked Dubanik for a ride to Sheetz and were on the way home when the chase started. They claimed to have begged Dubanik to stop and eventually found a chance to get out of the car.
Police added that they were able to speak to the teen’s mother who said she knew they were going to Sheetz and shortly after got a call from their child and they were yelling and crying. The mother claimed that while they were on the phone Dubanik was texting her. She added that he eventually told the mother he didn’t mean to put the teen in danger and told the teen to put their seatbelt on.
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Dubanik was allegedly found with a small amount of marijuana. Police said he admitted to smoking earlier that day. They noted his eyes were red and glassy and he refused a blood draw.
Dubanik was placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $100,000.
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