Chester County man charged with injuring 3 in crash during high-speed race waives preliminary hearing

A Chester County man charged with injuring three people after crashing into them during a high-speed race in which he was fleeing police will have his case proceed to county court after waiving his preliminary hearing earlier this month.

Jesus Juarez-Juarez, of Atglen Borough, waived his preliminary hearing before Judge Raymond Sheller on April 2 on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, aggravated assault by vehicle, aggravated assault resulting in significant bodily injury, endangering the welfare of children, four counts of recklessly endangering another person and six summary traffic offenses.

Juarez-Juarez, 20, is accused of crashing his vehicle into a tractor-trailer during an illegal high-speed race at the intersection of Strasburg and Black Horse roads in Paradise Township the evening of March 22. The impact of the collision caused the tractor-trailer to tip over into oncoming traffic where it struck a third vehicle which subsequently caught fire.

A driver inside the tractor-trailer and two people inside the third vehicle were each taken to a local hospital for evaluation. One of the occupants of the third vehicle had to be extricated by first responders.

Patrolling State Police troopers spotted Juarez-Juarez’s vehicle racing another car along Strasburg Road shortly before 7 p.m. Both vehicles continued to speed away at more than 120 mph as the trooper pursued them, dangerously passing at least eight cars, a bicyclist and a horse and buggy as they fled.

As Juarez-Juarez approached the intersection he failed to yield at a stop sign and slid into the tractor-trailer, causing it to tip over onto its side where it struck another vehicle. All three vehicles caught fire while the driver of the third vehicle was trapped inside.

Troopers and bystanders helped extinguish some of the blazes as police arrested Juarez-Juarez. A 15-year-old boy was also found seated in the front seat of Juarez-Juarez’s vehicle

When speaking to police Juarez-Juarez did not explain his actions, but said that he drives “to blow off steam.”

Juarez-Juarez is currently free after posting $10,000 bail.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Anthony Stoltzfus filed the charges.

Assistant District Attorney Emily Corcuera will prosecute the case.