Police chase leads to Md. man's eighth criminal case in three months in Franklin County

A Maryland man was charged in his eighth criminal case in Franklin County in three months last weekend after allegedly leading police on a chase up and down Interstate 81. 

Michael Evans II, 33, of Hagerstown was put in Franklin County Jail on $75,000 bail, court records show. He is charged with fleeing, reckless endangerment, and a number of related counts. 

A Pennsylvania State Police trooper attempted to pull over a Honda Civic that had inoperable tail lights and was traveling 79 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone near Exit 20 of Interstate 81 northbound just before 11 p.m. Saturday, according to court documents. 

The driver, later identified as Evans, began to slow down and take the exit onto Olde Scotland Road, before quickly speeding up and turning right onto Black Gap Road (Pa. 997). 

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Evans made an illegal U-turn, and got back on I-81 northbound. The vehicle hit speeds over 100 mph, 35 mph over the posted speed limit, documents state. 

Evans exited the interstate at Exit 29 (Walnut Bottom Road) in Cumberland County. Despite the vehicle running over spike strips, Evans turned back onto the interstate and began traveling south at over 100 mph as the vehicle's tires were "disintegrating," police said. 

The vehicle ultimately crashed off the right side of the road near mile marker 19. 

A number of other motorists were traveling in the area throughout the duration of the pursuit, police said. 

Once out of the vehicle, Evans resisted arrest before police successfully detained him. He was taken to Chambersburg Hospital for a blood test, the results of which are pending. 

Police determined Evans' driver's license was suspended, and the nationwide crime database showed he had several active warrants. 

In Franklin County, Evans has six open cases for retail theft and one open case for attempted retail theft. All have been filed since September, with the most recent filed Dec. 5. 

The preliminary hearing for the police chase case is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Dec. 17 in Franklin County Central Court. 

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