MARION COUNTY — A 58-year-old man arrested Tuesday in connection with the hit-and-run of a pedestrian in Salem, as well as with a resultant high-speed chase appeared Wednesday morning in Marion County Court.

Jeffrey Freeman Johnston, now listed as residing in both Champaign, Ill., and Reno, Nev., has been issued half-dozen citations for disregarding an official traffic-control device, one citation for driving the wrong way on a one-way street, improper lane usage, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle — all traffic violations issued by multiple agencies.

No criminal charges have been filed against Johnston at this time, but he remains in the Marion County Jail and a warrant has been secured to search the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse seized after the high speed chase ended when Johnston crashed the vehicle on Highway 161 on Centralia’s west side.

While driving the 2004 Eclipse in Salem Tuesday, Johnston reportedly struck 63-year-old Ernie Whipple Sr., as Whipple was walking across South Broadway at Mitchell Street in Salem. Miller says Whipple was ultimately airlifted to a St. Louis area hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was last listed in stable condition.

Johnston reportedly fled from the scene, taking multiple law enforcement agencies on a wild high-speed chase across Marion County, before a “pit maneuver” by a Centralia police sergeant caused the suspect vehicle to crash down a steep embankment on Highway 161 in Clinton County on Centralia’s west side, before coming to rest in the field below.

No injuries were reported in the crash and Johnston was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.

Johnston reportedly fought and resisted being handcuffed and continued to be uncooperative. He was taken to the hospital for a blood draw, prior to being transported to the Marion County Jail, where Miller says he was subsequently questioned by multiple agencies.