LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Authorities say two people were sent to the hospital and a man is facing multiple charges after a police chase across Luzerne County.
Police say on April 9, at around noon, an officer was on duty when their patrol vehicle equipped with a License Plate Reader (LPR) received a hit.
Officials explain that the LPR hit was on a 2008 blue Volvo stopped in the southbound lane of Wyoming Avenue at the intersection of Market Street in Kingston with an expired registration.
The officer then began a registration check to verify that the registration had expired.
Police say the Volvo began driving erratically, weaving back and forth dangerously between the right and left lanes.
The blue car approached the intersection of Wyoming Avenue and Northampton Street, then drove through a red light, according to the affidavit.
The officer then activated their siren and lights in their effort to stop the Volvo.
Officials say the car failed to stop and continued to drive on Route 11 Southbound through Edwardsville and Larksville, ultimately reaching Plymouth, all while making improper lane changes and passing multiple vehicles in a no-passing zone on Route 11 in Larksville.
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In Plymouth, authorities say the blue car continued to drive haphazardly and struck another vehicle in the area of Main Street and Academy Street, causing the Volvo to become disabled.
The event caused the struck vehicle to be flipped onto its roof, according to police.
Officials say the driver of the Volvo was then taken into custody and identified as Jonathan Ferraro.
Ferraro was then placed into a Kingston Police Department vehicle and was advised of his Constitutional Rights, police explained.
After affirming that he understood his rights and agreed to speak to police, Ferraro apologized for his actions and for possibly hurting the people in the struck vehicle, according to authorities.
Police say Ferraro admitted to using marijuana and methamphetamine within 24 hours of the incident and said he didn't stop for police because he knew the vehicle was illegal and he is currently on parole.
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According to the affidavit, Ferraro admitted that in the Volvo, there was a marijuana roach, along with a syringe used to inject methamphetamine.
Officials say the Volvo was secured and towed to the Kingston Police Department to be held while waiting for a search warrant, which was later approved by Judge Spagnola.
During the search, the affidavit explains that the interior of the car smelled of burnt marijuana, and there was a partially smoked marijuana roach visible on the driver's side floor.
A small amount of suspected marijuana, three burnt suspected marijuana roaches, and a syringe were found and seized as evidence, according to police.
Authorities explained that the vehicle Ferraro struck with the Volvo during the chase had two people inside.
Captain Thomas of the Plymouth Police Department was advised by one of the victims that he saw Ferraro give him the middle finger as he was behind their vehicle, trying to pass them, before striking their vehicle.
Officials say both victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
It is unknown the severity of their injuries or their current condition.
Court documents say Ferraro is facing the following charges:
Two second-degree felony counts of Aggravated Assault - Attempts to cause or causes Bodily Injury with a deadly weapon
Two second-degree misdemeanor counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person
One third-degree felony count of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer
One Misdemeanor count of Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana
One Misdemeanor count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Ferraro was also charged with Driving without a License, Failure to Stop at a Red Signal, Reckless Driving, and Operating a Vehicle without Required Financial Responsibility.
Ferraro was denied bail as he was considered a danger to the community and a flight risk, according to court documents.
Officials say Ferraro is being held in the Luzerne County Prison with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 22.
