Altoona driver charged after hit and run with pedestrian downtown

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — An Altoona driver is being charged after allegedly hitting a person on a bicycle downtown and driving away, Altoona police said.

Lucas Dirk Drenning, 34, was charged via summons with accidents involving injury and failure to stop and render aid after an incident that happened in the area of 10th Street and Green Avenue, near the Windgate Hotel, Sunday, July 28.

According to charges, Altoona police arrived at the area to find the pedestrian lying on the ground. He had a cut on his head and was complaining of shoulder and chest pain.

Two witnesses told police they were outside of the hotel when they saw the victim in the Green Avenue alley on a motorized bicycle, the criminal complaint reads. He then rode towards 10th Street and tried to cross it when a truck with wooden railings on it struck him. They both claimed the driver, later identified as Drenning, yelled out of the truck “HE HIT ME.”

Police noted that security footage at the hotel showed what witnesses had told them.

While searching the area of the truck, police were alerted that the truck and the driver were at the Altoona Police Department. According to the complaint, Drenning showed up at the station to tell them about what happened.

According to Drenning’s account, he said he was driving when someone on a bike came out of nowhere and he couldn’t stop. Drenning claimed when he did come to a stop, he yelled back to see if they were ok, then panicked and left the scene.

The bike rider was taken to UPMC Altoona that day where he said he was “mostly okay.” On Sept. 9, police said they received an update on the injuries which included a fractured clavicle and fractured ribs.

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Drenning’s preliminary hearing is slated for Oct. 23, with Magisterial District Judge DeAntonio.

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