SCHUYLKILL COUNTY — Police Chase Ends in Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crash

NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, PA (April 21, 2025) —— State Troopers pursued a driver who fled during a traffic stop on Saturday, April 19.

The driver traveled south on State Route 61 just before 3:00 p.m. for a quarter mile before he neared the intersection of Route 61 and the Cressona Mall entrance. He went into the right-turn lane before rear-ending a car. He caused a multi-vehicle crash.

The driver died at the scene from the injuries, according to responders. The victims involved in the crash were transported to the hospital for various injuries.

Investigations continue.

Car Chases in Pennsylvania: Legal Steps After Being Involved

Car chases—whether you’re an innocent bystander affected by police pursuit or involved in a crash caused by a fleeing driver—can result in serious injuries and complex legal questions. At Munley Law, we understand the confusion and stress that follows these dangerous incidents.

Understanding Police Pursuit Laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania follows what’s known as the “emergency vehicle doctrine,” which grants certain immunities to law enforcement during pursuits but doesn’t give officers unlimited freedom to endanger the public. Police departments must balance public safety with law enforcement needs, and officers must follow their department’s pursuit policies.

Your Legal Options After a Car Chase Incident

If you’ve been injured in a crash related to a high-speed chase in Pennsylvania, you may have several legal options:

1. Claims against the fleeing driver: The person fleeing police is typically liable for damages they cause. However, these individuals often lack insurance or assets to cover your damages.
2. Claims against law enforcement: In certain circumstances, you may have a claim against the police department if officers acted with reckless disregard for safety during the pursuit.
3. Insurance claims: Your own insurance may provide coverage through uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.

Steps to Take Following a Car Chase Incident

• Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
• Document everything, including photos of the scene and vehicles
• Obtain the police report
• Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies
• Contact an experienced personal injury attorney promptly

How Munley Law Can Help

Our experienced attorneys understand the complex interplay of municipal immunity laws, police procedures, and Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rules that apply in these cases. We work diligently to determine all potential sources of compensation and build strong cases for our clients.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash related to a police pursuit, contact Munley Law for a free consultation. Our dedicated team has the experience and resources to help you navigate this challenging situation and pursue the compensation you deserve.

If you were involved in a traumatic accident in Schuylkill County, the Pottsville car accident attorneys at Munley Law can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, regional and state police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents in Pennsylvania. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, be sure to contact Munley Law as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most exact information available. A post will be removed upon request. All information in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. All information comes from local news sources. This post is not a solicitation for business.

Disclaimer: The photos used in this post were not taken at this accident scene. All information in this post is informational and is not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.