Altoona man arrested after high-speed chase in city
Macken accused of DUI, leading police on high-speed chase
A city man was taken into custody after allegedly leading state police on a high-speed chase while under the influence.
Maynard Macken, 58, was arraigned Sunday by Magisterial District Judge Matthew Dunio on a felony count of fleeing police and single misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person and DUI, as well as 31 summary traffic violations. He was remanded to the Blair County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.
An officer with state police at Hollidaysburg was driving along Seventh Street in Altoona about 12:44 a.m. Sunday when they saw a silver Jeep SUV accelerating across the Seventh Street bridge at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted to catch up with the Jeep and initiate a traffic stop but the driver, later identified as Macken, fled along 10th Avenue, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
Macken proceeded through several stop lights when he lost control of the Jeep and drove through the grass at the intersection of 10th Avenue and 24 1/2th Street. The officer pursued Macken at speeds in excess of 110 mph until they were driving north on Plank Road. Macken eventually came to a stop on 56th Street, where the officer exited his vehicle and commanded Macken to exit. Macken began to comply by putting his hands out the window and opening the door, but then closed the door and made a U-turn to continue fleeing, the police report states.
Macken returned to Plank Road before pulling into the parking lot of Jersey Mike's located at 505 E. Plank Road, where he was stopped again and taken into custody. When the officer spoke to Macken, he noted Macken's eyes were bloodshot and glassy, his pupils were dilated and that Macken smelled of alcohol. Macken told officers he had one beer and also had his medical marijuana card. Macken subsequently failed a field sobriety test, at which time he was taken to UMPC Altoona for a blood draw, the report states.
Macken is scheduled for a preliminary hearing July 28 in front of Magisterial District Judge Wendy R. Mellott.