Harrison police charged the driver of a truck involved in a December crash that left another driver injured and damaged the Harrison Hills Volunteer Fire Company station.
Brandon Cook, 19, of Allegheny Township faces charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and other offenses after an investigation determined he was driving at nearly twice the posted speed limit, said police Chief Brian Turack.
Cook was traveling 85 mph in a 45 mph zone, Turack said.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled May 24 at District Judge Carolyn Bengel’s office in Brackenridge, according to court records.
Cook’s Dodge Ram truck was traveling southbound on Freeport Road at about 3:30 p.m. Dec. 21 when it struck the driver’s side door a car driven by a 72-year-old Harrison man, according to police. The impact caused the man’s car to travel across the road and strike a utility pole in the fire station parking lot. The impact left the driver trapped, Turack said.
The collision, which happened near Altermoor Drive, sent Cook’s truck across the northbound lanes of Freeport Road, where it struck the front of the fire hall and sparked a fire, said police. No damage estimates were released.
Allegheny County Police assisted with the investigation.
The driver of the other vehicle sustained several injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
“He has subsequently undergone numerous surgeries,” Turack said.
Harrison police are grateful for the number of witnesses who remained on scene, Turack said, as multiple people gave statements that indicated the Dodge Ram appeared to be speeding.
Multiple emergency crews responded, including Harrison Hills, Citizens Hose and Hilltop Hose volunteer fire companies, Citizens Hose EMS and Freeport EMS.