Police: Student Hits Library Steps, Pins Person Under CarDriver Accused Of Several Charges After Crash In IndianaPOSTED: 3:39 pm EDT October 19,
2009 INDIANA, Pa. -- Borough police say a drunken driver who had been sleeping in a car suddenly woke up and hit a pedestrian, pinning that person under his vehicle on the steps of the town library.The crash happened around 2:25 a.m. Sunday in the 800 block of Philadelphia Street. Channel 4 Action News reporter Jennifer Miele said skid marks could still be seen near the mangled steps of Indiana Free Library on Monday afternoon.Police said 19-year-old Christopher Barger, of Midlothian, Va., had driven the wrong way down Philadelphia Street, then parked in front of the library and fell asleep behind the wheel.When a passerby tapped on the car window to wake Barger, it startled him so badly that he hit the gas and went up the library stairs, striking a man on the sidewalk, police said."The vehicle, at that time, had just driven back off of the victim and had pulled down onto Philly Street," Indiana police Cpl. Wesley Hite said. "(A police officer) pulled his vehicle in front, blocking it more or less, and then going and rendering aid to the victim and detaining the driver."The victim -- identified as 25-year-old Robert Ackerman -- was first taken to Indiana Regional Medical Center, then to Conemaugh Memorial Hospital in Johnstown. Police said his injuries are not expected to be life-threatening, but he did suffer a large gash on his head.Police said Barger, a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, faces charges including aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving.Barger is free on $20,000 bond. A preliminary hearing will be held after results of a blood-alcohol test are available.
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