ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. – A suspect is arrested and charged in a five year old case involving a high speed chase during which an Eastern Adams Regional Police officer was seriously injured.
Pennsylvania State Police filed charges against Lance Lester Hawkes, 40, of New Oxford. Investigators say it was Hawkes who fled at high speed from Eastern Adams Regional Police Officer Richard Phillips shortly after midnight on March 11, 2010. Hawkes, was allegedly speeding when Officer Phillips, with red and lights flashing, attempted to make a traffic stop.
Officer Phillips suffered career ending injuries when his cruiser slammed into the rear of a tractor trailer at the intersection of Route 94 and Route 30 in an area commonly referred to as Cross Keys, in Berwick Township, Adams County. His injuries included traumatic brain injury, extensive broken facial bones and a broken leg as a result of the crash.
Hawkes, was driving under a suspended license in his 2001 Nissan Sentra when the chase began. Investigators got a break in the case when a relative of Hawkes came forth. He told police that Hawkes had admitted to driving the car involved in the chase. He related how he had made itthrough the Cross Keys intersection while the pursuing police car did not.
Charges against Hawkes include aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, driving under suspension, reckless driving and other traffic related offenses.
Following arraignment late Thursday afternoon, Hawkes was sent to the Adams County Adult Corrections Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail.
In December 2014, Hawkes was charged after leading police on a high speed chase on a motorcycle. His speed during that pursuit topped 120 mph. Police also seized Hawkes 2004 Suzuki GSX1300 motorcycle, several motorcycle license plates and numerous motorcycle helmets.
First Assistant District Attorney Sinnett expressed gratitude to the Pennsylvania State Police and Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office for their exhaustive efforts in this more than five year criminal investigation. “This is a testament to the Pennsylvania State Police and other law enforcement agencies that criminals will not be able to run and hide from their actions as long as the law permits charges to be filed and resolution for victims of crime to be obtained.” A preliminary hearing in this matter has not been set.
