Driver Charged in High-Speed Chase; 2 Injured Officers Released

A Bristol Borough man was arraigned on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges Thursday morning after he led police on a dangerous car chase overnight that ended up hurting two officers.

Kyle Romanowski, 42, of Cleveland Street, is accused of dragging Bristol Township Patrolman Thomas Phillips as he fled from police after they were called to investigate a report that he was sitting inside his car drinking a Four Loco alcoholic beverage.

According to police, Phillips was transported by ambulance to Lower Bucks Hospital and treated for his injuries. Phillips and another officer, who sustained injuries, have been removed from duty as they recover.

Officer Phillips and Officer Michael Sarcewicz were called to the Fantasy Adult Book Store  in the 800 block of Veterans Highway (Route 413) at 10:31 p.m  Thursday and found Romanowski “highly intoxicated” inside his blue Hyundai four-door car, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Police told the 42-year-old he could call for a ride or be arrested for public intoxication. In court papers, police noted that Romanowski became uncooperative when he had trouble finding his cell phone, and additional patrol units were called.

Officer Thomas Polistina arrived as backup and pulled behind the Hyundai.

Romanowski was given verbal commands by police to exit his car but refused. Sarcewicz then attempted to remove Romanowski from his car; he resisted and became combative, police said.

Two officers blocked the driver-side door as Romanowski tried to close it on them, all while holding the steering wheel, police said.

All three officers began fighting to control a combative Romanowski and he somehow started his car, according to court papers. Officer Phillips deployed his taser on Romanowski to no avail, police said.

Read the original story and see exclusive photos of the crime scene

At that point, Romanowski placed his car into reverse and “floored” it backwards, according to police accounts.

Sarcewicz barely escaped the rapidly reversing car, Polistina was struck by the door and Phillips became trapped between the open driver-side door and the car, police said. Romanowski is alleged to have dragged the officer for about 10 feet before hitting a parked police cruiser.

At the time of impact, Phillips struck the parked police car and then went flying over the vehicle. He was further injured when he landed on the ground on the other side, police said. Investigators noted in court papers that the area of impact where Phillips first hit the police car was pushed inward and had a broken window.

Romanowski then reportedly took off on Veterans Highway and police called for all available officers to assist.

Township and Bristol Borough police chased Romanowski at high speeds in the wrong direction on Veterans Highway, where he struck a vehicle containing an adult and toddler at Otter Street. The pursuit then continued into Bristol Borough, where the suspect blew stop signs and traffic lights. According to witnesses, the vehicle lost its bumper and knocked over a sign at the Bristol Wharf.

Bristol Township Lt. Terry Hughes said Romanowski’s vehicle was on two tires at one point as the chase went through the borough. He added that pieces of the car were flying off and striking pursuing police vehicles.

The chase ended when Romanowski struck a passing car at the intersection of Route 13 and Green Lane in Bristol Township. Two civilians were involved in the crash, police said.

Romanowski continued to fight with officers as they took him into custody, police said, adding that law enforcement came in contact with the 42-year-old’s blood.

After being taken into custody, police said they heard Romanowski muttering that he smoked cocaine and drank before the chase because he girlfriend cheated on him.

Police remained at intersection of Route 13 and Green Lane well into the early morning on Thursday reconstructing the crash.

None of the civilians were hurt in the crashes that happened during the chase.

Romanowski is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, one count of fleeing police, accident involving personal injury, accident involving property damage, DUI, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and reckless driving plus other related offenses. He was arraigned before District Judge Joanne V. Kline and sent to Bucks County prison on 10 percent of $2 million bail.

Police said that Romanowski has a 28-page criminal history, which includes a prior conviction of fleeing and eluding police and several felony arrests.