Allentown man sentenced in 2023 high-speed chase that nearly hit state trooper | Allentown Area

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – An Allentown man charged with nearly striking a state trooper and several others with his vehicle and leading police on a high-speed chase in a residential neighborhood in 2023 has learned his sentence.

Paris Bartlett, 50, of Allentown, was found guilty in May 2026 of a felony charge of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police as well as misdemeanor charges of Accidents Involving Death or Injury While Not Licensed, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Endangerment and Possession of Drugs, according to a news release from District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.

The DA says the jury acquitted Bartlett of felony counts of Aggravated Assault.

After the conviction, Bartlett’s bail was revoked and he remained in Lehigh County Jail for a state parole violation arising from a prior felony conviction.

In a hearing Monday before Judge Douglas G. Reichley, Bartlett was sentenced to serve 6 to 13 years in state prison, according to the release.

On June 16, 2023, Allentown Police Vice Officers as well as Pennsylvania State Police were in the area of South Third and West Union streets conducting a joint investigation.

A marked Pennsylvania State Police vehicle attempted to stop Bartlett’s car as part of a drug investigation. Police say Bartlett initially stopped, but then reversed, striking an undercover police vehicle and then accelerated forward nearly striking a state trooper.

That trooper fired two rounds from his handgun, striking Bartlett’s windshield. Bartlett was not injured by the gunshots, according to officers.

Authorities said Bartlett then fled though the city of Allentown and nearly struck two pedestrians crossing Third Street and then drove the wrong way over the Hamilton Street bridge forcing numerous vehicles to avoid hitting Bartlett’s car.

Troopers said as officers followed in police cruisers with lights and sirens on, Barlett drove through several stop signs and through a number of residential neighborhoods on Allentown’s East Side.

Bartlett struck a vehicle, injuring at least one person, and a marked Pennsylvania State Police vehicle before finally being stopped in the 500 block of South Carlisle Street, police said.

After being taken into custody, Bartlett’s car was searched by police who found cocaine, fentanyl and synthetic marijuana, according to the DA’s office.