State police have identified the driver who led police on a chase and then crashed into a police cruiser Wednesday morning in Columbia.
William Owen Gustafson Jr., 20, of Sheri Lane, Lititz, was extricated from his car by responding police after his vehicle caught fire, state police Trooper Stefanie Trzaska reported Thursday.
Apparently, a splendid time was had by all at Tuesday's New Year's event at the Turkey Hill Experience, which featured the Cone Drop and its accompanying countdown, as well as free coffee and hot chocolate (courtesy of Mike's Diner), free cartons of eggnog (courtesy of Turkey Hill), and a variety of entertainment. Although the event was well attended by the public, there was a scarcity of vendors representing local businesses. I was chatting with someone "on the inside" who said that each year every effort is made to extend invitations to local businesses to attend the event and promote their enterprise for free, sponsored by Turkey Hill. Many businesses decline the invitation. I don't understand why any business would turn down an opportunity to advertise itself - and possibly even promote the town, in the process. Speaking of which, I wonder why was there no contingent representing Columbia Borough. You know, maybe a "Welcome to Columbia" table - or at least a sign.
A police officer and a motorist who led police on a chase through Columbia Borough Wednesday morning were taken to the hospital after a vehicle accident.
Columbia Borough police Sgt. Marc Y. Tremblay was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and released.
The motorist, who police said is a suspect in a crime elsewhere, also was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Columbia police.
Officers attempted to stop the suspect's vehicle at Third and Locust streets in the borough after the driver failed to stop for a red light at 1:18 a.m.
The suspect's car later crashed into Tremblay's cruiser at nearby Third and Union streets. Both cars had severe damage.
