Police chase ends with vehicle in flames; suspect faced with numerous charges, including driving while ability impaired by drugs

LEWIS COUNTY- A North Country resident is accused of numerous charges following a police chase Thursday evening across numerous townships that ended with a vehicle in flames, authorities say.

Leslie J. George Jr., 48, of Waddington, NY is officially charged by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office with misdemeanor counts of unlawfully fleeing a police officer; reckless endangerment in the second-degree; obstructing governmental administration in the second-degree; and driving while ability impaired by drugs.

It was shortly after 6:30 p.m. when Jefferson County Sheriff's Office warned authorities in Lewis County of a 2009 Chevy Impala heading east across State Route 177 on three wheels at a high rate of speed.

Deputies first intercepted the vehicle near Beetle Road and tried to initiate a traffic stop, but that didn't work and a chase ensued. 

Police chased the Impala into the village of Lowville before progressing into the town of New Bremen. The pursuit ultimately came to a halt on State Route 812 in the town of Diana, where the vehicle caught fire and exited the roadway.

George Jr., the alleged driver, was taken into custody on scene without any further incident.

He was processed and issued with numerous vehicle and traffic law tickets, which are all returnable to Diana, Lowville and New Bremen Town Courts at a later date.

Carthage Area Rescue Squad, Harrisville Fire Department and Covey's Towing all assisted.

Image via the Lewis County Sheriff's Office.