Panasuk Faces Criminal Endangerment Charge

John David Panasuk has been charged with criminal endangerment and fleeing or eluding a peace officer. The charges were filed on Wednesday, March 9.

The criminal endangerment charge, a felony, claims that Panasuk operated a motor vehicle without breaks at a high rate of speed and was swerving into oncoming traffic on Oct. 1, 2021.

The fleeing or eluding charge, a misdemeanor, claims that Panasuk accelerated his vehicle when law enforcement instructed him to stop.

The maximum penalties for the criminal endangerment charge are a $50,000 fine, 10 years in prison or both.

Maximum penalties for the fleeing or eluding charge are a $2,000 fine, one year in jail or both.

He made not guilty pleas to the charges in district court on Wednesday, March 16.

His omnibus hearing was scheduled for April 13. Trial was scheduled for June 16.