NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Police said a man leaving a wedding reception on Saturday in Lawrence County hit two people with his car.
Officers said the incident happened as a group of people was leaving a reception at Cascade Park in New Castle around 11 p.m.
According to the police report, Justice Mackey, 20, was upset about the death of his father, and a female friend was comforting him outside when Mackey's girlfriend came outside.
Witnesses told police that Mackey and his girlfriend got into his car and took off. Investigators said a witness told them that he began doing circles in the parking lot and people had to run to get out of the way.
Police said Mackey's girlfriend was upset that he was hugging the woman, and they began to argue.
Officers were told that Mackey stopped and then a short time later accelerated into a crowd in the parking lot.
Both people who were hit were taken to Jameson Hospital. One of the victims was later flown to Elizabeth Hospital.
Police said Mackey claims that he and his girlfriend had made up before they left the reception and as they were trying to leave a large group, including the groom, ran up to his car and started kicking and punching it.
“It was very scary. I'm not going to lie. It was just me and Justice in the car, and they were all on the side of the car punching it and screaming," said Chelsey Hookway.
Mackey told police he returned to the reception hall because his girlfriend had left personal items inside. He said as he was leaving someone yelled at her and pushed her to the ground. Mackey said once she was in the car he accelerated because people began to hit his car again.
Investigators said his story didn't match up with what witnessed told them, and they took him into custody. Mackey faces several charges including aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, driving under the influence, harassment, reckless driving and careless driving.
There is no word on the victim's conditions.