Williamsport Man Jailed After Police Pursuit in Clearfield County

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP – A 28-year-old Williamsport man, Shawn Shipton, is in jail after leading police on a pursuit Saturday night that resulted in two, separate crashes in Clearfield County.

The pursuit began when Clearfield Trooper Todd Shive attempted to stop a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire on Interstate 80 at mile-marker 118 east in Lawrence Township, according to a news release issued by state police.

However, its driver – later identified as Shipton – reportedly failed to stop and exited I-80 at Clearfield. Shive eventually lost sight of the suspect vehicle, which was located by township officers traveling in two, separate units.

State police say it struck a township patrol unit, then fled. A second township unit was also involved in a crash at the Hyde light with an unrelated, civilian vehicle and the driver was seriously injured.

The pursuit continued until the suspect vehicle crashed on Independent Drive in Bradford Township. The occupants fled but were later located in a restaurant near the crash scene.

Shipton, along with the female occupant, initially claimed they were traveling on I-80 but were “car-jacked” while pulled over to rest. Later, Shipton allegedly admitted he led police on the pursuit.

State police say Shipton was lodged in county jail, and the female was released.

State Police, Troop C, Forensic Services Unit and a Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist assisted with the Hyde crash investigation.

Also, multiple patrol units from Clearfield, Punxsutawney, Ridgway and Rockview assisted with the incident.