ALLENTOWN – A resident of Island Heights was charged with multiple motor vehicle violations following his involvement in a four-car collision on the morning of Jan. 4 in Allentown.
Police said that just before noon, Patrolman Christopher Poss was operating a stationary radar unit in the area of North Main and Broad streets when a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder entered his field of radar at a high rate of speed.
Poss made a U-turn and engaged his patrol vehicle’s emergency overhead lights and sirens to initiate a motor vehicle stop. The driver, who was later identified as Keith P. Dillon, 32, of Island Heights, pulled over to the side of the road in the area of 40 N. Main St.
As Poss exited his vehicle, Dillon, in his vehicle, fled south on North Main Street heading into the borough’s business district at a high rate of speed. Poss attempted to stop Dillon again.
Police said Dillon attempted to pass a Ford Explorer on the left by crossing the double yellow line. Dillon then swerved his vehicle in an attempt to pass the Explorer on the right, causing his vehicle to strike the Explorer.
The driver of the Explorer was later transported to a hospital by the Allentown First Aid Squad for treatment of shoulder, neck and wrist pain, according to police.
During the incident, Dillon’s vehicle also struck an unoccupied parked Chrysler minivan and the minivan struck an unoccupied parked Honda Civic.
Police said that after the four vehicles that were involved in the collision had come to rest, Poss exited his vehicle and approached Dillon, who was pinned in the driver’s seat of his vehicle against the Explorer.
At that time, Poss radioed for Patrolman Anthony Rando to assist. When Rando arrived at the scene, he helped Dillon out of his vehicle. Dillon refused medical attention and showed no signs of injury, according to police.
Police said Rando smelt the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from Dillon’s vehicle, which led to a search of the vehicle. A small amount of a substance believed to be marijuana was recovered, in addition to drug paraphernalia.
Rando conducted field sobriety tests on Dillon and determined he was not under the influence of any substance, according to police.
Dillon was arrested and charged with eluding police, possession of under 50 grams of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, being an uninsured motorist and several other motor vehicle citations, according to police.
Dillon’s vehicle was impounded by J.L. Tow Company and he was processed and transported to the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, without incident on a no-bail warrant issued by Cpl. Brian Stab and Rando.
