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Pitt football player facing charges after chase, crash

PITTSBURGH — A University of Pittsburgh football player is facing charges in connection with a police chase and crash this past weekend, court documents show.

Alexander Bookser was taken into custody early Sunday.

Police said Bookser was driving erratically through Oakland. According to a criminal complaint, he hit a parked car on Demple Street, then hit a moving car on Fresco Way. Next, he ran a stop sign and when officers tried to pull him over, his SUV kept going, police said.

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Officers said his driving was “careless and reckless” with “no regard for the public.”

Video shows Bookser lose control of his SUV near the student affairs building on Meyran Avenue, damaging the railing and stairs. A police officer draws his gun and tells Bookser to exit the vehicle.

Bookser was taken to UPMC Presbyterian for possible head injuries.

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The charges against him include driving under the influence, careless driving, reckless driving, failure to drive at a safe speed, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles, and operation of a vehicle without an official certificate.

According to the university’s website, Bookser is an offensive lineman from Mount Lebanon.

Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi released the following statement:

"We are extremely disappointed in the circumstances Alex put himself in, and others, because of his poor decision making.  He has expressed to me his extreme regret and disappointment in himself.  Alex understands the importance of accountability when a mistake of this gravity is made.  We are committed, as is Alex, to ensuring his actions and judgment will be better moving forward."