Off-duty Hermitage officer accused of chasing vehicle, causing crash

WEST SALEM TWP., Pa. (WKBN) - An off-duty Hermitage police officer is facing charges after investigators say he was chasing a vehicle and caused it to crash, sending two people to the hospital. Derek Jeziorkowski, 38, is charged with four counts of aggravated assault, first-degree felonies; four counts of simple assault, second-degree misdemeanors; four counts of recklessly endangering another person, second-degree misdemeanors; reckless driving, careless driving, driving on roadways laned for travel and driving on the right side of the roadway. Just after 9:30 p.m. Friday, Pennsylvania State Police troopers were called to the intersection of E. Jamestown and Porter roads in West Salem Township for a reported crash. According to a criminal complaint, Jeziorkowski was driving a Kia Telluride that had been reportedly chasing a Dodge Journey. The complaint states that Jeziorkowski drove around the other vehicle in an attempt to stop it, but the Journey stopped and turned around on E. Jamestown Road and started traveling back toward Greenville. Jeziorkowski also turned around and began following it in a "reckless" manner, according to the complaint. Jeziorkowski then pulled in front of the vehicle again, striking the other vehicle and causing it to lose control and hit an anchor wire for a utility pole, ditch, and then roll over and land on its roof on E. Jamestown Road, according to the complaint. The investigating officer reported that the damage done to both vehicles mirrored that which would be caused by a "pit maneuver."  Witnesses told police that they heard Jeziorkowski say, "This is what happens when you f**k around with my kid," as he approached the other vehicle. Witnesses said Jeziorkowski was "acting aggressively" with those inside the Dodge Journey prior to emergency responders arriving at the scene. Police questioned Jeziorkowski and said he admitted to following the vehicle in an attempt to get its license plate number due to a previous incident that had occurred with his son at the Walmart in Greenville. Investigators said Jeziorkowski also admitted to passing the vehicle twice but continuing to try to follow it. The complaint stated that two of the people inside the Dodge Journey were transported to UPMC Horizon for medical treatment. A release from Pennsylvania State Police classified their injuries as "suspected serious." PSP's release also identified the victims as two 18-year-old men, an 18-year-old woman and a 33-year-old woman, all from Jamestown. Jeziorkowski is an officer for the Hermitage Police Department. Hermitage Police Chief Adam Piccirillo said Jeziorkowski has been placed on administrative leave, per policy, until further notice.  "The City of Hermitage will have no further comment at this time," he said in a statement provided to WKBN. Alex Imwalle contributed to this report.