Police: Man abused inhalants, rear-ended car, fled, then struck garage; Charges pending
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO - John Pickens, 38, is led by Rush Township and Tamaqua Police from the scene of a crash in Hometown in handcuffs.
Sentinel Staff Reports
HOMETOWN – Charges are pending against a man who drove his car through the side wall of a garage at a home in Hometown on Monday, according to Rush Township Police.
The crash occurred on Monday around 5:30 when a Nissan Altima drove through multiple yards before becoming embedded in the side wall of a garage at 41 Lafayette Avenue.
According to police, witnesses said the driver, 38-year-old John Pickens, attempted to flee the crash but was unsuccessful. He was also seen abusing inhalants at the time of the crash, police said.
It’s also believed Pickens rear-ended a vehicle in the 200 block of Claremont Avenue right before the crash, and struck thr home while fleeing that collission.
Pickens was uninjured after the crash.
“Thankfully, no one inside the residence was injured as a result of this incident,” said Rush Township Police Chief Ken Zipovsky.
Pickens was led away in handcuffs by Rush Township and Tamaqua Police, and submitted to a blood test at St. Luke’s Hospital in Coaldale.
Zipovsky said the investigation is ongoing, and appropriate charges will be filed at the completion of the investigation.
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