Jeannette teenager Joel E. Munoz-Bayas, 19, finds himself in custody along with two unidentified juveniles after an alleged car theft spiraled into a police chase, ending with a collision under a train trestle yesterday. As reported by WPXI, Munoz-Bayas was reportedly behind the wheel when the vehicle, taken from Nancy Heath's driveway around 2 a.m., sped down Harrison Avenue reaching speeds of 60 mph in a 25-mph zone, without headlights, ultimately leading to the crash after a high-speed pursuit by law enforcement.
Police engagement commenced after officers spotted the car violating traffic laws, and despite initiating pursuit with lights and sirens, it didn't deter Munoz-Bayas, who blew through two red lights and continued at high speed before the eventual collision, according to details detailed in court papers obtained by TribLive. Adding to the narrative, the stolen car's owner expressed her disbelief and distress following the incident, "I couldn’t believe it! I mean, I was really upset." "I was really upset," Heath stated, as per WPXI.
In the aftermath of the chase, all three suspects were transported to AHN Forbes Hospital to assess injuries sustained during the crash. Their condition has yet to be clearly detailed, notes a spokesperson for Mutual Aid EMS, adding a layer of concern to the night's events. The stolen vehicle, a red Kia Soul, was reported snatched from Harrison Avenue. Coincidentally, it is also the street where the accused Munoz-Bayas resides, as court documents underline.
Munoz-Bayas has not enlisted legal representation, and his bail has been set at $25,000. He is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison with a preliminary hearing anticipated on May 22.
