Crime & Safety

Pottstown Man Jailed After DUI, Police Chase, Crash

Phoenixville chase leads to jail time for local resident.

Phoenixville Police were sent on a rather wild chase in June 2012. The outcome? Jail time for a Pottstown man.

William Shawell Jr., 29, of Pottstown pled guilty Tuesday to charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police and driving under the influence. Shawell attempted to flee police on June 10, 2012.

During the chase, Shawell hit 10 parked cars and a police cruiser as an officer attempted to pull him over.

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According to a report in the Pottstown Mercury, Shawell pled guilty in exchange for a plea bargain.

"As part of a plea agreement worked out between Shawell’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Lauren Holt, and Assistant District Attorney Max O’Keefe, Shawell was sentenced to 11½ to 23 months in Chester County Prison for the fleeing charges and a concurrent 72 hours for driving under the influence," said the article. H"e was taken from the courtroom to begin serving his sentence."

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Police reports state that Shawell was leaving a parking lot at 2:10 a.m. on the night of the incident, and was observed by Phoenixville Police to be swerving. An officer followed the green sedan and witnessed Shawell driver, strike a telephone pole.

After striking several parked cars, driving on the sidewalk and hitting a cruiser that attempted to pull him over, Shawell proceeded to hit more parked vehicles. Affidavits from Elizabeth Glennon, an officer of the department, note that many of the cars were in need of towing from the scene.

Shawell was taken to Phoenixville Hospital for crash injuries and was found, according to reports, to be in excess of .30 blood-alcohol level, or that which is three times the legal driving limit.

Shawell will serve his time, a maximum of 23 months, eligible for work release after his sixth month.


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