Man on lam in Blairstown tried to hit N.J. trooper with car, cops say

A manhunt is underway for a 21-year-old Stroudsburg man who police say tried to hit a New Jersey State Police trooper with his vehicle during a traffic stop along Interstate 80.

Ryan Allen Smithers (Courtesy photo)

Police have been searching for Ryan Allen Smithers since about 6 p.m. Monday.

Smithers, who has warrants for his arrest in various states for multiple crimes, tried to avoid a traffic stop for a minor motor vehicle violation along Union Brick Road in Blairstown Township, said Capt. Scott Johnsen, the officer in charge of the department.

Smithers then swerved at a trooper standing in a construction area where the highway was being resurfaced, Johnsen said. It's unclear how close Smithers got to actually striking the trooper with his vehicle and the officer was doing "OK" Tuesday, according to police.

At some point, Smithers then abandoned his car leaving two female passengers behind and ran in the area of Alice Court and Kishpaugh Road heading toward Knowlton Township.

Officers pursued Smithers for awhile before losing track of him, Johnsen said.

Johnsen was unsure if the passengers were charged with anything. Smithers' vehicle was impounded, but New Jersey State Police in Hope declined to comment if anything was seized from the car, citing the ongoing investigation.

This isn't the first time Smithers has ran from police along I-80.

In August 2016, the Daily Record newspaper of Morristown reported Smithers attempted to toss bags of heroin over the guardrail during a traffic stop in Byram. He then ran onto Interstate 80, crossing four westbound lanes of the highway while almost being stuck by several vehicles, according to the report.

Police seized about 20 bags of heroin in that stop and three other people with Smithers were detained, according to the Daily Record.

Court records in Pennsylvania show a warrant for Smithers' arrest is filed at the office of District Judge Alicia Zito for a November 2014 harassment charge and he has a warrant in Monroe County for a March theft charge.

In September 2014, he was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and theft in a Monroe County case. He also is facing two theft charges for a February incident in Northampton County.

Smithers in Monday's case is facing an assault on a law enforcement officer charge. A warrant has been obtained by police for his arrest.

Smithers was last seen wearing a dark shirt and gray sweatpants. By 1 p.m. Tuesday, more than 700 people shared a Facebook posting by Blairstown police asking for the public's help in finding him.

Police are asking those with information on Smithers' whereabouts to call Blairstown Police at 908-362-8266. If anyone actually sees Smithers, they are asked to call 911.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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