Farrell man ‘critical,’ was shot during pursuit

HERMITAGE, Pa. — A Farrell man was in critical condition Monday at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown after being shot by a Pennsylvania State Police trooper in a police pursuit.

Police say Darren G. Milhoff, 30, was shot by a state police trooper as the trooper was being dragged by a stolen car Milhoff was driving. State police did not identify the state trooper involved.

State police have charged Milhoff with 12 counts of aggravated assault, six counts of simple assault, six counts of recklessly endangering another person, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and criminal mischief.

State police said they started chasing Milhoff after they received a call from Hermitage police that he was driving on Pa. Route 62 toward Mercer.

State troopers spotted him at 1:40 a.m. Monday traveling at speeds greater than 70 mph. Police said they placed stop sticks (spike strips) on the road and state police cars, but Milhoff rammed them.

The car did stop shortly, but as a state trooper went to apprehend Milhoff the car continued on, dragging the state trooper, police said. The trooper shot Milhoff in an attempt to stop the vehicle, police said.

State police said the trooper did have minor injuries from being dragged and was treated at Sharon Regional Health System’s hospital.

Milhoff was taken by helicopter to St. Elizabeth’s.

The pursuit started at 1:35 a.m. in Hermitage where police spotted the stolen vehicle.

Hermitage officers saw the car turn north onto North Keel Ridge Road and the car pulled into a driveway on the 600 block.

As the Hermitage officer left his car, Milhoff backed out of the driveway and rear-ended the police car. Police continued chasing Milhoff as he went back on Pa. Route 62 until state police took over.

Hermitage police have charged Milhoff with fleeing and eluding police, traffic control signal violations, reckless driving, and being in an accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property.