Police: Clarion man found unconscious in car, flees from police officers

PINEGROVE TWP., Pennsylvania (EYT) – A Clarion man who was arrested in a vehicle while suspected of being unconscious and under the influence of drugs attempted to flee from police Tuesday.

According to court documents, Franklin State Police filed the following criminal charges against the 37-year-old Christopher Lee McSwainfrom Clarion, in the office of District Judge Patrick Lowrey on Wednesday, June 5:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol/controlled substances, misdemeanor (two counts)
• Resisting arrest/other law enforcement action, misdemeanor 2
• Fleeing arrest or detention on foot, misdemeanor 2
• Use/possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor
• Suspension/withdrawal of driving license according to § 3802/1547b1 – 2nd violation, summary

According to a criminal complaint, on Tuesday, June 4, at approximately 4:13 p.m., PSP Franklin was called to the 2100 block of State Route 157 in Pinegrove Township, Venango County, for a report of a man lying unconscious in the driver’s seat of a gray Ford Focus with a needle in his hand.

Upon arrival, officers found the vehicle in a driveway with a white male in the driver’s seat. The man identified himself as Christopher McSwainthe registered owner of the vehicle, the complaint states.

Before police arrived, a volunteer firefighter reported that the car’s engine was still running when emergency responders arrived and that McSwain was lying unconscious in the driver’s seat, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, while speaking with McSwain, officers discovered several syringes clearly visible in the vehicle. McSwain was “obviously impaired by drugs and very disoriented and disheveled.” He told police he had last taken drugs that morning.

McSwain was asked to exit the vehicle. When he exited, officers discovered a syringe in his pocket. This was observed along with numerous other signs that McSwain was actively using drugs, such as open wounds and injection sites, the complaint states.

McSwain performed poorly on standardized sobriety tests and was told he was being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. McSwain then broke away from officers and fled on foot, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, a brief foot chase ensued.

Police say after McSwain stumbled, he crawled under a vehicle where he was tasered. He continued to flee, was caught on the other side of the vehicle and continued to resist arrest. Officers were able to get McSwain under control and successfully arrested him, the complaint states.

McSwain was taken to UPMC Northwest. He consented to a blood draw and was medically examined and declared healthy, the complaint states.

He was arraigned before Judge Lowrey on Wednesday, June 5 at 2:30 p.m.

Since he was unable to post the $15,000.00 bail, he was placed in the Venango County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, at 8:30 a.m. in Venango County Central Court.