Police: Drunken Driver Led Chase Up Parking Deck

An Allentown man who was allegedly driving drunk in the parking garage tried to escape apprehension by driving his van up to the higher levels of the deck, leading police on a brief vehicle chase early Friday, according to court papers.

Richard Douglas Walton, 33, of 1032 Wyoming St., was initially cooperative with security personnel from the casino after an alleged hit-and-run accident in the parking garage, the arrest affidavit says.

But when arrived, Walton allegedly started driving his Chevy Express van up higher into the parking deck. The incident occurred after 1 a.m.

According to court records:

• Walton ascended toward the fourth level of the parking garage with a police cruiser in pursuit, lights and sirens activated.
• Walton’s van crashed through a parking gate in the down position to get into the fourth level of the deck, ripping the arm off of its pedestal. Once on the fourth level, Walton’s van became stuck in a low overhead clearance area when it got lodged in the deck’s support structure.
• Walton exited the van and then did not comply with police commands to get on the ground. He then tensed his arms when police tried to handcuff him. Police said he smelled of alcohol, walked with an unsteady gait, had red bloodshot eyes and slurred his speech.
• Walton’s New Jersey driver's license had been previously suspended.

Walton was charged with fleeing or eluding police, resisting arrest, drunken driving, driving under suspension, careless driving and criminal mischief. He was arraigned before and committed to Northampton County Prison after failing to post $15,000 bail.