Coopersburg Man Accused of Leading Police on High-Speed Chase

A Coopersburg man is accused of leading Lower Saucon Township police on an eight-mile, high-speed chase early this morning.

According to a township Police Department press release, Mark T. Darconte, 21, of 647 W. Fairmount St. drove at approximately 100mph through Center Valley and Coopersburg while "passing other vehicles illegally and weaving in and out of traffic recklessly" shortly before 2am.

The pursuit began on Route 378 north of Colesville Road and finally ended when Lower Saucon police boxed in Darconte's vehicle on Route 309 south of Reservoir Road in Richland Township north of Quakertown, authorities said.

At that point, Darconte was taken into custody and charged with felony fleeing and eluding, three counts of reckless endangerment and numerous traffic violations, including driving while under suspension, police said.

Darconte was also charged with DUI pending lab results, and a passenger in his vehicle was cited for underage drinking, police added.

Police identified the passenger as Brandon M. Beck, 19, of 2131 Oakhurst Drive, Center Valley.