Police: Hit-and-run suspect who hit Pitt professor wasn't under the influence

HIGHLAND PARK, Pa. — According to police, the man accused of hitting a stop sign, a University of Pittsburgh professor riding a bicycle and another vehicle in Pittsburgh neighborhoods Tuesday night was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Investigators said the victim, David Wood, was hit by a car while cycling on North Euclid Avenue in Highland Park Tuesday night.

"Looks like it jumped the curb, hit the bicyclists, then hit a stop sign, knocked the stop sign down then fled the scene," said Pittsburgh police Sgt. Michael Pilyih.

According to the criminal complaint, the driver, Mark McCloskey, fled the scene but was arrested after another crash in Lawrenceville.

Police arrested McCloskey after he crashed at Butler and Chislett streets in Lawrenceville about 7:30 p.m. Witnesses identified McCloskey and his vehicle as the one that struck the bicyclist.

He was taken to the police station for a drug evaluation, but was not found to be under the influence, authorities said.

McCloskey, 26, of Valencia, is facing several charges including reckless driving.

Wood, 76, is being treated at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Officials said he is in critical condition.

Wood’s neighbor, Mara Kaplan, said he was hit very close to his house.

“My husband went out to run an errand and passed a bike on the ground, and was afraid it was our neighbor. Then later, we saw all the ambulances,” Kaplan said.

According to Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE, Wood began teaching neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh in 1969 and retired in 2007 as an associate professor, a university spokeswoman said. He continued to teach part-time at the school from 2008 until December, she said.

WPXI