Driver Charged After High-Speed, Reckless Tear Through Newtown Twp.

NEWTOWN, PA ? A driver who said he was running late for a funeral sped through parts of Lower Makefield and Newtown Township Tuesday morning at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour before being stopped by police.

Kyle Sperber, 26, of Falls Township, was arraigned before District Judge Michael Petrucci who set bail at $200,000. Sperber is charged with two counts each of fleeing or attempting to elude police, endangering another person, and reckless driving. He's also charged with an accident involving damage, driving at unsafe speeds, and careless driving.

The incident began just after 9:30 a.m. in Lower Makefield when an officer reported observing a BMW M3 sedan traveling at a high rate of speed at 301 Oxford Valley Road.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, when the officer attempted a vehicle stop, the car ?failed to stop and proceeded to recklessly switch lanes, traveling at high rates of speed and failing to stop for traffic signals."

The BMW continued driving westbound on the Newtown Bypass at Lindenhurst Road at high rates of speed. As it approached Penns Trail, police said the BMW crashed into the rear of a Toyota Camry, disabling the vehicle. The Camry was being driven by Cindy Burgess, who was traveling with her two-year-old son.

Police said the driver of the BMW failed to stop and offer aid to the accident victims and continued driving west on the bypass at an unsafe speed, making unsafe lane changes and failing to stop at traffic lights.

When a Newtown Township officer attempted to make a traffic stop at Richboro Road, the BMW crossed over a concrete divider and began traveling eastbound on the bypass at speeds in excess of 100 mph, according to court records.

Officers located the car on Sycamore Street approaching Durham Road. When the BMW attempted a U-turn in the middle of Sycamore Street, officers made the stop and arrested Sperber without further incident.

According to the affidavit, as he was being taken into custody, ?Sperber told police that he was late for a funeral."