PITTSBURGH — A suspect accused of hitting a security guard at a Pittsburgh Grand Prix event and then fleeing the scene has been charged.
Emergency crews were called to the area of S. 28th Street and Sidney Street in South Side Flats at 7:45 p.m. on July 15 after a man was struck by a vehicle.
The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Court documents reveal he suffered a severe head injury, skull fracture, orbital fracture, and bleeding in the brain. Police say he was working security at the event when he was hit.
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By talking to witnesses and reviewing surveillance video, investigators learned a black Lexus sedan drove into the closed event, turned around with tires squealing and moving fast and then began traveling in the opposing traffic lane. That’s when police say the vehicle hit the security guard, who was in the road trying to reset a barricade. The vehicle did not stop at the scene and continued down Sidney Street before turning onto Hot Metal Street.
Officers were able to use license plate readers to track the Lexus to the area of Liberty Avenue and Baum Blvd. Patrolling officers found the vehicle parked unattended outside the garage of an auto body shop on Baum Blvd. It had minor damage to the right front bumper and yellow paint marks, consistent with the road barriers.
Police said they identified Matthew J. Demopoulos, 39, of Pittsburgh, as the vehicle’s owner, and surveillance video showed him parking the Lexus where it was found by police and leaving a key in the garage drop box.
He faces charges of aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving personal injury, careless driving, reckless driving and failing to stop and give information or render aid. Those charges were filed on Friday.
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