OBSERVER Staff Report

SHERMAN — A high-speed chase that originated in Erie, Pa., late Saturday evening ended with the apprehension of two wanted suspects who crashed in Sherman.

Around 11 p.m., the Erie City Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police attempted to apprehend two suspects that were operating a Toyota in the city of Erie. The two suspects were on Erie’s top 10 most wanted list with the male suspected, 48-year-old William A. Lisek, of Erie, Pa., wanted for strong arm robbery and weapons charges. The male operator failed to comply with the traffic stop and led both agencies on a high speed chase that eventually crossed over into New York state on Interstate 86. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police were requested to assist in attempting to get the vehicle stopped.

As the fleeing vehicle passed the Sherman exit, the male operator lost control of the vehicle and spun out. The vehicle spun around and the suspect proceeded to start driving west in the eastbound lane.

In an attempt to stop the vehicle from putting other motorists at risk of being hit head on, one of the Pennsylvania State Troopers put his own life at risk and hit the fleeing vehicle disabling it. The trooper was not injured, however the male operator was flown to Hamot Hospital for what appeared to be a non-life threatening head injury. The female passenger, 36-year-old Shaline Pepperman, of Erie, Pa., was also taken to Hamot Hospital by Sherman Rescue. The eastbound lane of I-86 was shut down for approximately one hour. Additional charges are pending the investigation into the incident.