A Northern Lehigh School District girls basketball assistant coach has been charged after leading police on a chase in Monroe County.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by officer Liam Rebetje of the Pocono Township Police Department in the case against William Watkins:

At 7:42 p.m. Wednesday, Rebetje was dispatched for a reckless driver on Route 611 near the Dunkin’ Donuts in Swiftwater.

The caller said a green Dodge Ram pickup truck was traveling north on 611 swerving all over the roadway.

Rebetje was in a marked Pocono Township patrol vehicle in the parking lot of Kimchi Wasabi restaurant at the intersection of routes 611 and 314 when the vehicle drove past him going north on Route 611.

The vehicle appeared to be swerving from lane to lane so Rebetje attempted a traffic stop at Route 611 and Stricklands Road.

Rebetje obtained the registration for the 2001 Dodge. The registration showed Watkins, 64, of Tobyhanna, as the owner.

The vehicle failed to yield and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. Watkins’ vehicle continued to swerve all over the roadway, passing other motorists and almost crashing into other motorists head-on, in the wrong lane of travel several times.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police assisted and deployed stop sticks at the intersection of Echo Lake Road and Route 196. After successfully spiking one of the vehicle’s tires, it still did not stop. Watkins then turned off the lights on his vehicle and continued driving.

Officer Christopher Chiusano parked his patrol vehicle in front of the Dodge and it came to a brief stop. Chiusano told Watkins to get out of his vehicle, but Watkins maneuvered his vehicle around Chiusano’s patrol vehicle, nearly striking Chiusano.

The vehicle eventually came to a complete stop and Watkins was taken into custody.

Rebetje said Watson showed signs of impairment.

Rebetje asked Watkins if he had been drinking, and he answered that he had three beers at Flood’s about one hour before.

Police said Watkins refused a blood alcohol test.

He failed field sobriety checks.

Watkins was then transported to the Monroe County Correctional Facility for processing and to await arraignment.

Watkins faces charges of aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, driving without lights to avoid identification or arrest, reckless driving, and careless driving.

He is currently incarcerated in the Monroe County Correctional Facility, with his request for bail denied, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Feb. 19 before District Judge Daniel Kresge of Bartonsville.

Northern Lehigh Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Link said the district could not comment on the situation.