Motorists Nearly Hits Walker During Chase

OCEAN CITY — A Turkish national living in West Ocean City was arrested on multiple traffic and drug charges early Thursday morning after a high-speed chase in the downtown area that nearly resulted in a collision with a pedestrian.

Around 2:20 a.m. on Thursday, an Ocean City police officer on patrol in the area of 28th Street observed a Ford Focus heading south on Philadelphia Avenue drifting from lane to lane. The officer followed the vehicle south as it continued to swerve in and out of lanes and speeding. The officer initially tracked the vehicle driving 48 mph in a 35-mph zone.

The officer initiated a traffic stop by activating the patrol vehicle’s lights and siren, but the Ford Focus continued south, accelerating to 56 mph at one point. When the car reached the area of 15thStreet, its path was blocked by traffic in each lane ahead with brake lights. The Ford Focus abruptly turned west on 15th Street, ran through a stop sign at St. Louis Avenue and nearly struck a pedestrian, who had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck in the crosswalk.

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