Driver Nearly Hits Penn. Troopers; Wanted to Run Down Officials

A man arrested after driving at a group of Pennsylvania state troopers Wednesday was trying to run down Harrisburg city officials, according to court records.

The troopers had to jump out of the way as the driver accelerated toward them, leaving tire marks on blacktop and narrowly missing them, the records said.

The troopers were wearing business suits and walking toward the entrance of the Scottish Rite Cathedral in the 2700 block of N 3rd Street about 3:40 p.m. for promotional interviews when the incident occurred.

The troopers said they were getting ready to enter the building when they heard a vehicle screech to a stop on Third Street. The vehicle was stopped facing south in the northbound lanes.

The Ford Escape then “aggressively accelerated” as it entered the roundabout entrance of the cathedral, police wrote in court records. The driver reportedly yelled out of the window as he sped toward six troopers, who jumped out of the way.

The vehicle drove through the grass until it re-entered the other side of the roundabout and then tried to flee south on Third Street, according to court records.

The troopers stopped the vehicle while on foot and arrested the driver, later identified as Jamal K. Crummel, 45, of Harrisburg. He told police he smoked marijuana, drank alcohol and took medication prior to driving, according to court records.

While sitting at the police station later, Crummel asked troopers who the men were that he nearly hit with his vehicle.

“When the trooper advised who they were, the defendant stated he thought they were Harrisburg city officials,” court records said.

It was not explained in the records why he would want to hit or injure city officials. Crummel, however, told police had had relapsed on drugs.

Crummel is charged with six felony counts of aggravated assault, six misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person, one count of DUI, disregarding traffic lanes, reckless driving and careless driving.

According to online records, Crummel was unable to post $150,000 bail and remains at Dauphin County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 29.

______

Visit pennlive.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.