A Bradford man was sent to McKean County Jail after leading police on a high speed chase early Friday morning, culminating in a crash into the Bradford City Water Authority treatment plant on West Corydon Street.
Richard Foster, 36, of 45 Clarence St., is charged with criminal mischief and fleeing from police, third-degree felonies; possession of prohibited weapons, first-degree misdemeanors; DUI-drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia; and numerous traffic summary offenses.
There was significant damage to the treatment plant, said Steve Disney, executive director of the water authority, but “this accident didn’t affect water quality of supply capability.
“The water authority received substantial damage to the south side of the water treatment plant,” Disney said. “A considerable amount of sheet metal siding was destroyed, at least one structural steel column was also damaged as well as a concrete block pilaster. Our main gate at the south side of the plant is also destroyed.”
According to the criminal complaint,at 2:11 a.m. Friday, a state trooper was following a car, driven by Foster, on West Corydon Street. The trooper noted the car’s speed was 40 mph in a 25 mph zone, and activated his lights and siren for a traffic stop. However, Foster didn’t stop, but accelerated, traveling west on West Corydon Street, reaching speeds of 90 mph.
Troopers estimate Foster’s car was traveling between 70 and 80 mph when it slammed into the metal gate blocking the driveway of the water treatment plant, and then into the side of the building.
The car rolled over and landed on its wheels, the complaint noted. Foster was placed in cuffs and taken to the patrol car, where he was searched. Two stamped baggies containing white residue were located on his person, the complaint stated.
Inside the car, police found two “black-handled daggers inside a black sheath.”
Foster was evaluated and cleared by emergency medical personnel. Troopers had noted signs of drug intoxication, and Foster was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center for blood testing, the complaint stated.
He was arraigned before District Judge Bill Todd and remanded to jail in lieu of $30,000 bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Rich Luther on Nov. 18.
Friday afternoon, Disney said, “We are very fortunate that this occurred in the middle of the night when none of our employees were at the site. We are also thankful that no equipment or systems directly affecting the water treatment operations were negatively impacted.
“The plant remained operational throughout the event with no interruption,” he said. “We definitely avoided a major catastrophe regarding this event for sure. We’d like to thank all First Responders, our employees, and contractors that have helped us in this situation.”
