Penn State student seriously injured after being struck by driver in State College
A Penn State student was seriously injured and charges are pending against a 19-year-old suspect after a predawn crash in State College.
The pedestrian, a 21-year-old student, was hit about 12:35 a.m. Friday by a driver at the intersection of West Beaver Avenue and South Gill Street, borough police wrote in a press release.
The student was flown by medical helicopter to UPMC Williamsport for treatment. Officers said the driver left the scene of the crash, but the vehicle was later located with the assistance of state police.
Patton Township police and the Alpha Fire Co. also assisted. An investigation is ongoing. Police asked those with information about the crash to call 814-234-7150, email police@statecollegepa.us or submit an anonymous tip online.
It was the second time in the past three months a Penn State student was seriously injured in State College.
A 20-year-old pedestrian was hospitalized with critical injuries after a February crash at the intersection of East Beaver Avenue and South Garner Street. A 33-year-old Clinton County man who police said had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit for driving was charged in April. He’s facing nine charges, including felony counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and an accident involving injury.
State College averaged 1.7 serious or fatal pedestrian crashes per year over the previous decade, according to state Department of Transportation statistics. The borough’s 17 such crashes were by far the most of any Centre County municipality.
Bellefonte was second with eight such crashes.