Prelim Soon For Chase Suspect Accused Of Flipping Trooper's Cruiser

A 24-year-old Mercer County man has been jailed on charges he ran a state trooper off Interstate 79, causing the trooper's police cruiser to roll over several times.

Jonathan Ackerman, of Edinboro, remains in the Mercer County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing Wednesday on charges including aggravated assault and driving under the influence.

Police said Trooper James Mason, of the Mercer barracks, began chasing Ackerman after he sped away from a traffic stop Friday at about 2:45 p.m. in New Vernon Township.

During the 15-mile chase, Ackerman exited I-79 onto Route 62 and then fled east on Route 965, police said. Mason was able to get his cruiser in front of Ackerman's vehicle. That's when Ackerman rammed the cruiser from behind, police said.

The patrol car was forced off the roadway, rolled several times, and then came to a rest on its roof, police said.

The pursuit continued for half a mile, and another trooper was able to force Ackerman's car off the roadway, ending the chase, police said.

Mason was treated for minor injuries and released.