After taking Lycoming Regional police on a pursuit that exceeded 20 miles Friday, habitually-impaired motorist David Clair Miller was taken into custody only after the 2006 Cadillac Escalade he was driving “became disabled by stop sticks,” according to an affidavit.

Police suspected Miller, 60, of 3542 Dewey Avenue Extension, Cogan Station, had cocaine in his system at the time of the pursuit, the affidavit stated. “Miller stated he had been smoking crack, and fled so he wouldn’t get arrested,” police said.

Already out on supervised bail, “Miller has (at least) five DUI arrests, two arrests out of Florida for fleeing law enforcement, another fleeing arrest from last year following an incident in the Muncy area as well as two additional DUI cases pending,” police said.

The pursuit on Friday began about 10:45 p.m. when Sgt. Cody Smith saw Miller run a stop sign as he exited Route 15 at the Hepburnville interchange at Beauty Avenue, the affidavit stated.

The pursuit continued south on Lycoming Creek Road with Miller traveling at speeds just “slightly above the posted speed limit,” Smith said in the affidavit.

“Miller swerved out of his lane multiple times and ran several stop signs. To avoid stop sticks on Lycoming Creek Road, he swerved (around them),” Smith said.

The pursuit continued east into the city and Loyalsock Township and then on to Interstate 180 West and Route 15 North, where the Cadillac finally became disabled near Trout Run after running over a set of stop sticks, police said. Miller showed no resistance at the end of the pursuit.

Shortly before 4 a.m Saturday, Miller was arraigned before District Judge Gary Whiteman on felony charges of fleeing police and DUI plus a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and four summary offenses. He was committed to the Lycoming County Prison on $25,000 bail.

Court records stated Miller had cocaine in his body on Jan. 9, 2023, when he struck a barrier on Route 15 in Old Lycoming Township.