Crime & Safety

After Alleged Hit and Run, Police Apprehend and Arrest Driver

A Norristown man is in custody following charges of a DUI and other charges.

After allegedly smashing a light standard and then driving away, a man who would later be charged with a DUI and more eluded police until he lost control of his vehicle, say Norristown police.

On Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 11:17 p.m. an off-duty Norristown police officer saw and reported a hit and run accident at Main Street and Markley Street in Norristown.

The off-duty officer, while in his own vehicle, reported that he saw a Honda Accord that was traveling very quickly leave the Dannehower bridge, then jump the median on the southeast corner and hit a light standard. The standard was mashed off of its base and the vehicle fled from the scene of the incident, say police.

Find out what's happening in Norristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The driver was later determined to be Eric Wilson, who, according to online court documents, lives in Norristown.

The off-duty officer followed the Accord and provided information about its locations on the police radio. Officers who were on duty were able to spot the Accord around the area of Cherry Street and West Marshall Street, watching the car flee northward on Cherry street, say police. The vehicle then moved quickly to West Basin Street, where it still fled.

Find out what's happening in Norristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Accord developed a flat tire and kept moving, but at a slower speed. At Wood Street and Markley Street, the car’s tire fell off of its rim and rolled off to the edge of the street, but the Accord continued on, moving between 30 and 40 miles per hour, say police.

Later, the Accord lost control and, at the 1300 block of Markley Street, went out of commission.

The driver, Wilson, left the Accord and ran away on foot, but was later caught and taken into custody. According to police, Wilson had blood-shot eyes and had a light smell of alcohol about him. When he was questioned he responded slowly. Police believed that he was under the influence. His driving privileges had been suspended at the time of the Norristown arrest.

Wilson was charged with a DUI, resisting arrest, and fleeing and eluding.  According to online documents, Wilson was confined in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility on Thursday in lieu of posting a $50,000 bail.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.