PITTSBURGH — A driver accused of hitting two people with his car near PNC Park told police that another vehicle caused him to crash, according to a criminal complaint.
Bryant Michael Ellis, 28, of West Mifflin, is charge with two counts of causing an accident that seriously injured the victims and driving without a license.
The crash happened on West General Robinson Street near Mazeroski Way around 11 p.m. Tuesday, shortly after the Pittsburgh Pirates game ended. According to the complaint, an 80-year-old man and his 68-year-old wife were struck by a gold-colored Buick Century.
The man and woman were both transported to Allegheny General Hospital, where the husband remained in critical condition Wednesday. Their injuries included lacerations to the head and face, as well as multiple scratches and lacerations to the extremities. The wife was in stable condition, officials said.
Investigators said Ellis admitted that he was driving a Buick registered to Tanisha Gooden, who was a passenger in the car at the time of the crash. Investigators said they observed a dent on the driver’s side hood of the Buick, as well as a large crack in the windshield on the driver’s side.
According to the complaint, Ellis said he was "unable to stop in time to avoid hitting the victims due to another vehicle, going in the opposite direction, that obstructed his view." Ellis told investigators that, as he passed the vehicle going in the opposite direction, the victims crossed behind that vehicle and then into the path of the Buick he was driving.
However, four witnesses stated to police that they did not see a vehicle traveling in the oncoming lanes at the time of the crash. The victims’ son said he saw a car driving fast as they crossed the street and the complaint stated, "As he hurried across the street he heard a loud bang to his rear and then turned to see (his parents) being struck by a Gold Buick Century."
The complaint stated that investigators spoke with the victims at AGH, and both said they did not have an immediate recollection of the crash.
The complaint further stated that Ellis does not have a valid driver’s license.
He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Allegheny County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 24.
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