Truck Driver Allegedly Chucks Fridge at Officers During Pursuit

A tractor-trailer driver threw items from his cab at police — including socks, shoes, and a small refrigerator — as he led them on a 34-mile chase in western Pennsylvania, authorities said Sunday, reports the Associated Press .

Police in Westmoreland County said a man called emergency dispatchers just before 2 a.m. Saturday and said he planned to wreck his truck. State troopers tried to stop the vehicle near Washington Township but the driver disregarded the emergency lights and sirens, and a pursuit began along Route 70 and later the Pennsylvania Turnpike, police said.

"During the pursuit, the driver threw numerous items at pursuing troopers from the cab" including a steel canister that struck a Greensburg state police unit and disabled it, police said. The driver also threw a mini refrigerator before the truck was stopped with spike strips shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday.

The driver refused orders to leave the cab, police said, so troopers entered and used a stun gun to subdue him. He was taken to a hospital because officers believed he was under the influence of a controlled substance, namely Xanax, and for other injuries, police said.