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Knox Mine documentary to debut on disaster’s 60th anniversary

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Beyond the Byline: Glory days alive and well

<p>HAZLETON &#8212; A man was arrested after he allegedly led authorities on a high-speed chase through the city early Saturday, leading to a crash into the former St. Joseph&#8217;s Hospital and the suspect&#8217;s four passengers being trapped inside the vehicle.</p><p>Jason De La Cruz, 34, is now facing a slew of charges, including DUI and five counts of reckless endangerment.</p><p>According to a press release by Hazleton Chief of Police Jerry Speziale:</p><p>Hazleton Police Officer Eric Hernandez attempted to stop a black BMW with five occupants at 2:36 a.m. after he observed the vehicle nearly strike a pedestrian in the area of Cleveland Street.</p><p>Instead of stopping, the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, continuing through numerous stop signs.</p><p>The BMW then failed to stop at Diamond Avenue. The driver, later identified as De La Cruz, headed west on Columbus Court to Arthur Street and continued up Arthur to Ninth Street.</p><p>While fleeing west on Ninth, De La Cruz attempted to turn right onto a narrow alley known as Lee Court. In doing so, he hit an apparent ice patch, causing him to lose control and slide into the east side of the former St. Joseph&#8217;s Hospital.</p><p>The BMW sustained heavy front end damage.</p><p>Officers quickly apprehended De La Cruz after he attempted to flee the scene after exiting the car.</p><p>Meanwhile, city firefighters had to remove the roof of the BMW to extricate the passengers trapped inside.</p><p>All were taken to area hospitals, with one being flown for a dislocated hip. Chief Speziale said none of the injuries appear to be life threatening.</p><p>He also noted one of the individuals was underage and charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor and another is facing drug charges for marijuana and drug paraphernalia found in the car.</p><p>Besides reckless endangerment, De La Cruz is charged with fleeing and eluding, careless driving, reckless driving, DUI and related offenses.</p><p>&#8220;Thankfully, no one lost their life in this dangerous incident,&#8221; said Speziale. &#8220;The department is extremely vigilant and active in their patrol efforts.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">De La Cruz </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_DeLaCruz.jpeg.jpg</photo0><caption0>De La Cruz </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Dan Stokes</p><p>dstokes@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes</p></shirttailMeta></div>

BMW driver arrested, passengers hurt in Hazleton chase early Saturday