13 October 2023- A Waynesboro teen is looking at felony charges after allegedly leading police on a miles long and dangerous chase through Franklin County on Wednesday afternoon. Aidan Christopher McGarity is facing charges of felony fleeing an officer, misdemeanor resisting arrest, and 9 different traffic offenses that allegedly took place during the pursuit. McGarity is free on an unsecured bail of $15,000.
Members of Pennsylvania State Police’s Chambersburg Barracks were on regular patrol near the intersection of Lincoln Way East and Black Gap Road in Greene Township right around 3:30pm on October 11th when they allegedly spotted a motorcycle stopped at the light with them. That motorcycle, now believed to have been ridden by Aidan McGarity, had a folded plate that didn’t let police see it. Police say that the operator turned around, looked at the patrol car, and took off down Black Gap Road at a high rate of speed.
Police gave chase, eventually adding cruisers in the pursuit as they chased the bike down the length of Black Gap Road from Lincoln Way to I-81. During the pursuit, McGarity allegedly swerved and passed multiple cars in the opposite lane, eluding police as they tried to box him in inside of a construction zone at speeds near 90mph.
McGarity allegedly turned eventually onto I-81 southbound at exit 20, still with PSP Troopers in pursuit. Troopers, however, were able to force an induced stop on the bike around mile marker 17.4. McGarity was removed from the bike shortly after. After this, McGarity allegedly failed to respond to commands to comply with his arrest and engaged in a struggle. He was brought under control shortly after, though.
When police asked McGarity why he ran, he allegedly answered “he was having a bad day and was not in a good mood”.
The chase lasted for about 15 minutes, with police allegedly clocking the bike at speeds between 70 and over 100 miles an hour over the duration.
Aidan McGarity is free on an unsecured bail of $15,000. His preliminary hearing is set for October 24th.
Sources: Docket Number: MJ-39305-CR-0000176-2023, Incident No.: PA 2023-1332178
