District Attorney

Nicole W. Ziccarelli
First Assistant District Attorney
Chuck Washburn
Chief County Detective
Ronald Zona

Office of the District Attorney

2 N. Main Street Suite 206
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3949

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 30, 2022
NEWS RELEASE
PIO: Melanie Jones / 724-216-2120 / mjones@co.westmoreland.pa.us

Greensburg, PA -- On November 3, 2022, multiple police departments from Cambria,

Indiana and Westmoreland Counties were involved in a pursuit and subsequent officer-
involved shooting.
Richland Township Police in Cambria County obtained an arrest warrant for Krysten
Pretlor, 35, following a felony domestic violence incident involving a gun.
While searching for Pretlor, he fled in a white BMW sedan and would not comply with
commands to stop, which prompted police to pursue the vehicle through various
roadways in Cambria, Indiana and Westmoreland Counties.
Reports indicate Pretlor was driving in excess of 100 miles per hour during the 45-mile
pursuit.
Pennsylvania State Police Troop A Indiana picked up the pursuit on Route 22 near
Blairsville, along with an on-duty Blairsville Borough police officer.
The pursuit came to an end on Route 22 near Rushwood Road in Derry Township when
Pretlor made a U-turn in an attempt to head east on Route 22.
Troopers used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to end the pursuit.
During this maneuver, Pretlor intentionally rammed his BMW sedan into an unmarked
state police cruiser.
Witnesses and video showed Pretlor point a firearm in the direction of state police. Upon
engaging with troopers, gunfire was exchanged between officers and Pretlor. Evidence
shows Pretlor fired multiple rounds from inside and outside of his vehicle toward
troopers. Pretlor succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Troopers recovered a stolen 9mm handgun from Pretlor, with additional ammunition
discovered in his possession. The slide on the handgun was locked back, indicative of
being fired until the magazine was empty.
In Pennsylvania, the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer is governed by
Section 508 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. A law enforcement officer is “justified in
using deadly force only when he believes that such force is necessary to prevent death or
serious bodily injury to himself or such other person...” 18 Pa.C.S.A. §508(a). In addition,
the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers is justified to defeat...the escape of a
person who possesses a deadly weapon, or otherwise indicates that he will endanger
human life or inflict serious bodily injury unless arrested without delay. 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§508(a)(1)(i)(ii).
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli reviewed multiple videos,
reports, witness interviews and evidence gathered from the scene and has determined the
use of deadly force was justified.