Oil City man faces fleeing and DUI charges

From staff reports

An Oil City man is facing charges after allegedly evading police during a traffic stop Thursday in Sugarcreek Borough.

Sugarcreek police officer Matthew Johnson said in a criminal complaint filed through district judge Andrew Fish’s office that he initially observed a red SUV that appeared to be traveling faster than the posted speed limit on Front Street at about 7 p.m. Thursday.

The driver was identified as Casey Gerald Ekstrom, 31, the complaint said.

Johnson said that after he pulled out behind the vehicle with his lights and siren, the vehicle braked hard and made an abrupt left turn onto Egbert Street without using its turn signal. As Johnson turned onto Egbert, he saw Ekstrom turn the vehicle’s lights off as it continued about 75 feet before turning right into a driveway, Johnson said.

Johnson said he pulled behind the vehicle and made contact with Ekstrom, and Johnson said he detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. Ekstrom was then arrested for suspicion of DUI, Johnson said.

Drug paraphernalia was also found in the vehicle, the complaint said.

Ekstrom is facing a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, misdemeanor charges of DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia, and several driving-related summary charges.