An early Sunday drive through southern Chester County turned into a long, tense ordeal when, according to Pennsylvania State Police, a Maryland man allegedly tailed another driver for roughly 26 miles before crashing in Upper Oxford Township. Troopers say the pursuing SUV repeatedly tried to hit the other vehicle as the pair wound through rural roads and major routes. No injuries have been reported.
Investigators identified the suspect as 45-year-old Landon Huntoon of Elkton, Maryland, and say he was driving a 2018 Ford Explorer when the trouble started around 6 a.m. Police report that the pursuit ran for about 26 miles across southern Chester County, including Street Road, Lancaster Pike, U.S. Route 1 north from Route 472 to Route 896, Route 10 (Limestone Road), and Route 896, before ending in a crash in Upper Oxford Township. Huntoon is facing charges that include aggravated assault and aggravated assault by motor vehicle while driving under the influence and is being held at Chester County Prison, according to 6abc.
How Troopers Say The 26-Mile Chase Unfolded
State police say Huntoon repeatedly closed the gap on the Tacoma ahead of him and, at times, tried to make contact as both vehicles navigated a mix of back roads and state routes. The alleged behavior echoes other drawn-out followings that have rattled the region, including an April incident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in which suspects who allegedly impersonated police followed and shot a driver, as reported by CBS Philadelphia.
Legal Ramifications
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2702, Pennsylvania law defines aggravated assault and allows it to be charged as a first- or second-degree felony depending on the conduct and the victims involved, according to the statute text. The aggravated assault by motor vehicle while driving under the influence allegation adds another serious layer for prosecutors as the case moves through Chester County courts, per Title 18, Section 2702.
State police are asking anyone who saw any part of the alleged pursuit to contact investigators so they can review additional footage and testimony, as detailed by 6abc.
