18 Mile Pursuit Ends After Police Deploy Spike Strips 3 Times

SHAWANGUNK, NY — An Ulster County man was accused of leading police on a chase that ended only after spike strips were used three separate times to disable his car.

The New York State Police said troopers going east on Route 52 in the town of Wawarsing saw a U-Haul pickup truck pulling a trailer west that was traveling at 80 mph around 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

After a trooper tried to stop the truck for speeding, the truck turned onto Old Greenfield Road and continued traveling west.

The truck came to a stop and the driver — Matthew Harshner, 49, of Shawangunk — got out of the vehicle, removed his jacket, shouted profanities at the trooper and said, "Come and get me." police said.

Harshner got back in the truck and took off, according to authorities.

The trooper followed him with lights and siren activated.

Harshner stopped after a mile and let out a female passenger, who was later identified as Deborah Decker, 49, of Worchester, Massachusetts. He then continued traveling west toward Route 52.

The trooper said he determined Decker was not injured and continued following Harshner on Old Greenfield Road.

Harshner made a right onto Route 52 eastbound and then, police said, began driving erratically, crossing over into the westbound lane going 84 mph.

He stopped again and put the truck into reverse, backing into the trooper's car, causing front-end damage, police said.

After that, Harshner fled the scene, traveling east into the town of Ellenville.

Troopers were assisted by the Ulster County Sheriff's Department, who deployed spike strips that disabled the rear trailer's tires.

Harshner continued driving erratically, police said, and struck a Town of Shawangunk police vehicle that tried to stop him.

Police said the collision caused Harshner to veer off the roadway and destroy a fence at the Mountain View United Methodist Church. He also struck a parked car in the post office parking lot before getting back on the roadway and traveling toward Weed Road in the town of Shawangunk.

As Harshner approached Weed Road, a Shawangunk police officer put spike strips down that caused some of the tires to be torn off of the truck.

In spite of that, Harshner continued driving east into the town of Crawford, where a third spike strip was deployed, causing all of the tires to be destroyed.

The truck eventually came to a stop on Center Street in Pine Bush.

Police said Harshner resisted arrest and was eventually taken into custody.

No law enforcement personnel were injured during the pursuit which lasted about 18 miles with a top speed of 84 mph, according to authorities.

Harshner was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, a felony, and reckless endangerment, obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, third-degree fleeing police officer in a motor vehicle, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operator and criminal mischief.

He was also issued 39 tickets for various vehicle and traffic law violations.

Harshner was arraigned in the Town of Wawarsing Court and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to return to court March 12.

Decker was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, and misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance.