100 MPH CHASE: Man charged after pursuit ends in fiery Lancaster County crash, hospitalizing 2, police say
By Rachael Lardani & Sarah Metts
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LANCASTER COUNTY, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — A Lebanon County man faces multiple charges after a high-speed chase ended in a fiery crash in Lancaster County, hospitalizing two people.
Police identified the suspect as Joshua Quinones, 33, of Myerstown.
WGAL obtained court documents detailing what led up to the pursuit and wreck. The following took place on Saturday, Dec. 20, according to authorities.
Scene of fiery crash Timeline leading up to the chase Unknown caller (5:10 a.m.)
Police said a victim received a call from an unknown number and a six-second voicemail stating, “Meet me at the bridge.” The victim identified Quinones as the caller.
False report of a house fire (5:22 a.m.)
Court documents stated that Quinones called police to report a house fire with four people inside. Responding crews found no fire, and the incident was deemed a false report.
Suspect told 911 dispatchers he is ‘God’ (5:51 a.m.)
According to court documents, Quinones called Lancaster County-Wide Communications and said he was “God” and that an unidentified victim was “his queen.” Police said he stated he needed to speak with the victim before hanging up. Court records also indicated that Quinones previously pleaded guilty in 2021 to witness intimidation involving the victim and defiant trespass.
Robbery at Turkey Hill (6:35 a.m.)
Police said Quinones robbed the Turkey Hill on North Oak Street in Warwick Township after attempting to buy a nicotine vape using playing cards. After being refused, police said he threatened two employees by gesturing with his hands like guns. One employee gave him the vape, and he fled in a silver Ford Focus, according to officials.
Robbery at Sheetz (6:55 a.m.)
Police said Quinones robbed the Sheetz on Lititz Pike in Manheim Township after handing the clerk a note with his name and demanding money. Court documents stated the clerk gave Quinones $451 before he fled in the Ford Focus.
High-speed chase Shortly after the Sheetz robbery, police said an officer located Quinones’ vehicle near the intersection of Millport Road and Route 501 in Warwick Township. The officer activated his emergency lights and sirens, but Quinones fled, according to officials. The officer was then ordered to terminate the pursuit by his supervisor, the documents stated.
Police said Quinones then called Lancaster County-Wide Communications to report he was being pursued, allowing dispatchers to track his location. An officer later positioned a patrol vehicle on the double yellow line in an attempt to stop Quinones, according to officials. Police said Quinones accelerated toward the cruiser and swerved away just before impact. The officer said he feared Quinones was going to crash into him and braced for impact, according to the documents.
Pennsylvania State Police were called around 7 a.m. to assist as the pursuit continued along Route 322 at high speeds. “Speeds reached over 100 mph,” investigators said.
Quinones, while speeding from police, ran a red light and crashed into a green Ford F-150 at the intersection of Wood Corner Road and Route 322, according to the documents.
“The impact caused both vehicles to instantly ignite and burst into flames,” police said.
The Ford F-150 was occupied by a husband and wife, according to investigators.
The husband suffered life-threatening injuries, including a brain bleed, multiple broken bones and burns to his body, officials said.
The wife was also hospitalized with multiple broken bones, according to police.
An arrest warrant was issued, and Quinones was charged with the following:
Three counts of aggravated assault Assault of a law enforcement officer Stalking False alarm to an agency of public safety Two counts of robbery Two counts of theft by unlawful taking Two counts of terroristic threats Six counts of recklessly endangering another person Two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle Two counts of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer Reckless driving Failure to stop at a red signal Driving at a safe speed
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