Man charged after State College crash that seriously injured a Penn State student
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Driver charged after crash with BAC more than twice legal limit.
- Victim, Penn State student, suffered severe injuries and remains recovering.
- Police used camera footage; driver found nearby and released on $55,000 unsecured bail.
A man had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit for driving when he hit and seriously injured a Penn State student with his pickup truck, State College police said in an affidavit of probable cause released Friday.
Matthew D. White, 33, of Clinton County, is accused of slamming a 2022 Ford F-150 into Sophia Ruscillo about 2:30 a.m. Feb. 7 at the intersection of East Beaver Avenue and South Garner Street in downtown State College.
His blood alcohol level was 0.183%, police wrote. The limit is 0.08%. An officer also said White was driving about 37 mph in a 25 mph zone while his license was suspended and subsequently fled without offering aid.
Defense attorney Marc Decker declined comment when reached by the Centre Daily Times.
Ruscillo — who was 20 years old at the time and pursuing a career in public relations and social media — was flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville after the crash. She was on life support and underwent treatment for a collapsed lung, fractured skull and brain bleed, her sister said on the fundraising platform GoFundMe.
In a late March update, her family said Geisinger saved her life and that she is “getting stronger physically and cognitively every day.” They said the support they have received has been “overwhelming and humbling.” Nearly $63,000 was raised from about 800 people.
“There have been very low moments and inspiring moments throughout her recovery journey. Sophia is a warrior!” her family said. “As Sophia recovers, pieces of our hearts are being put back together with her.”
Police reviewed footage from the borough’s street cameras that captured the crash. An officer found White in a parking lot about a half-mile away, where police said he asked “Is she alright?”
White smelled of alcohol and admitted to drinking before the crash, police wrote. An officer said White failed all three standard field sobriety tests.
Two people who were in the pickup with White said they went to multiple bars throughout the night and saw White have several drinks, police wrote. Each acknowledged White was under the influence and should not have been driving.
Neither was charged as of Friday. Centre County Deputy District Attorney Matt Metzger told the CDT the investigation is ongoing.
There was a light snow or rain falling at the time of the crash, which an officer said was a contributing factor.
White was charged with felony counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and accidents involving injury while not licensed. He’s also facing misdemeanor counts of DUI and four summary traffic citations.
He was arraigned Friday by District Judge Don Hahn, who released him on $55,000 unsecured bail. White waived his preliminary hearing and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 13.