A young Lititz man took a female passenger for a wild ride Saturday afternoon, leading state police on a high-speed chase through West Earl and East Cocalico townships, authorities said.

Police said Phillip Joseph Burdzy-Klaus, 20, of Lititz, led Trooper Jerry Harper on a 10-minute chase until the young man's car got a flat tire and became disabled.

Neither the driver nor his passenger were hurt, police said, but Burdzy-Klaus was charged with fleeing from police, recklessly endangering another person and numerous traffic violations.

Harper said the incident began shortly after 1 p.m. on Route 222 near Spur Road, in East Cocalico Township, when he tried to stop Burdzy-Klaus's car for a traffic violation.

Instead of stopping, police said, Burdzy-Klaus drove off the highway and traveled on a number of secondary roads, reaching speeds of 85 mph and failing to stop at several busy intersections.

When he reached a residential neighborhood, Harper said, Burdzy-Klaus drove through the side and rear yards of one home before re-entering the roadway, and then traveling back up onto southbound Route 222.

After passing other motorists, state police said, Burdzy-Klaus pulled the vehicle to a stop when he noticed the flat tire. The passenger was not charged, Harper said.


Staff writer Janet Kelley can be reached at jkelley@LNPnews.com or 481-6026.