W. PA Police Officer in Critical Condition after Fall

BUTLER CO. – A police officer is undergoing surgery following a 20-foot fall from a highway overpass.

State Police say Cranberry Township Cpl. Dan Hahn, along with other officers, was involved in a high speed chase with 22-year-old Thomas William Booth, of Volant, PA, when he followed the man over a highway overpass while pursuing him.

Police had been chasing Booth in a motor vehicle for over 20 miles on I-79, before his tires were deflated with spike strips. He then fled the car and jumped over the highway barriers, with Cpl. Hahn following.

Police believe neither man was aware they were on an overpass when they jumped.

Cpl. Hahn suffered injuries to his back, and is listed in critical condition.

No information on the suspect’s condition was available at the time of this posting.