Teen Injured After Crashing Dirt Bike into Police Car

A Scott Township teenager suffered serious leg injuries when police said he fled from officers on his dirt bike and crashed into a police cruiser.

Collier Township police said on Aug. 28 they were called to assist Scott Township police in pursuing 19-year-old Steve Romain after officers noticed his dirt bike did not have working lights and was not properly registered.

Police chased him from Glendale and he eventually ended up on Noblestown Road in Collier before turning onto parallel railroad tracks. One officer followed him while another cruiser was parked at a grassy outlet to block his exit near Dorrington Road, police said.

Police said there was enough room for him to drive around the car, but Romain crashed into it and was thrown from his bike. Romain was taken to an area hospital with injuries to his right leg. Police said he was wearing a fullface helmet at the time of the crash.

In an email sent to Chartiers Valley Patch earlier this month, a person associated with Romain blamed police for crashing into his dirt bike. However, neither the friend nor Romain’s family agreed to speak on the record about the incident.

Collier police defended the pursuit and said it was Romain who caused the accident.

“The car was stopped and pulled off on the grass,” Collier police said in a statement. “The officer was stopped and pulled over.”

Romain is charged with fleeing to elude police, reckless endangerment, trespassing on railroad property and several traffic citations.

Collier Township

Man steals several purses: Collier Township police say a man in his 30s walked into TJ Maxx on Sept. 12 and stole multiple purses worth a total of $926. Police said the man got into a white sports car and left before employees could stop him.

Police warn of paving scam: Collier Township police are warning of a scam involving a suspicious paver. Police said someone approached a Cluxton Road home on Sept. 19 and asked the resident if she would like her driveway paved. Police said the man gave her a business card with the name LL Stanley that has been linked to previous scams.

Appliances stolen from home under construction: A stove, microwave, dishwasher and water heater worth a total of $1,200 were stolen from a home under construction in Prestley Ridge on Sept. 21, Collier police said.

Retail theft charges: Chelsea Gauthier, 20, of Scott, faces retail theft charges after Collier Township police said she tried stealing a coat and two pairs of blue jeans worth $43 from Plato’s Closet on Sept. 18.

Coat and keys stolen from gym: Collier police said someone stole a coat and keys that were hanging in the LA Fitness women’s locker room on Sept. 18. Nothing in the woman’s car was missing, police said.

Woman charged with retail theft: Susan Barrett, 49, of Cecil Township, was charged with retail theft on Sept. 19 for allegedly taking various jewelry and clothing worth $104 from Kmart, Collier police said.

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