Hit & Run Driver Sought After Striking Motorcyclists At Stop Sign
NORTH HUNTINGDON (KDKA) -- Two motorcyclists were injured when they were hit from behind while stopped at a stop sign in Westmoreland County.
Police say the driver of the car didn't stop and hit one of the riders again as he tried to get away.
It happened at Main Street and Route 30 in North Huntingdon Township. Officials say a pickup truck crashed into two motorcyclists, throwing them from their now mangled bikes.
"The driver of the truck gets out of the truck, apparently looks at the victims, one's laying on the ground, the wife is right beside him. He gets back in his truck and he decides to flee," said Lt. Rodney Mahinske, the acting chief of the North Huntingdon Police Department.
Witnesses to the accident tried to keep the driver from getting away.
"One individual, when [the driver] got back into the truck, went up to the truck and he attempted to pound on the window of the truck to try to get him to stop and/or get into the truck," Lt. Mahinske said.
KDKA's Ross Guidotti: "What did the individual behind the wheel do to that man?"
Lt. Mahinske: "Almost struck him as well."
Police say the impact of the crash left one of the motorcycles lodged in the front of the truck.
"He rocks his truck several times to get it loose, and takes off backwards," Lt. Mahinske said.
Police say as the truck driver pulled away, he almost struck the male motorcyclist a second time.
But the driver was being tailed.
"We had some very good citizens who were concerned. Somebody ended up following him, got a registration off the truck," said Lt. Mahinske.
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The registration came back to a 39-year-old Brian Schlagel who witnesses identified from police photos as the driver.
The female rider suffered bumps and bruises. The male victim was taken to the hospital where he is still being treated for serious injuries.
The vehicle involved a silver Toyota pickup truck with Pennsylvania license plate number KCP-4245. Police say it has noticeable front end damage.
Once in custody, the driver of the pickup truck will face multiple felony counts, including aggravated assault.