A Lock Haven man was arraigned Friday on charges including aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence for a February hit-and-run crash in State College that left a Penn State student with life-threatening injuries.
Matthew D. White, 33, had a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit when he struck 20-year-old Sophia Ruscillo with his pickup truck on Feb. 7 at the intersection of East Beaver Avenue and South Garner Street, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by borough police .
White fled the scene of the crash at about 2:30 a.m. and using traffic camera footage police found him standing next to the truck in a parking lot on the 600 block of East College Avenue, according to the affidavit. During his interaction with an officer, White asked “Is she alright?” and showed signs of impairment, police wrote.
Police also learned that he driver’s license was suspended.
White performed unsatisfactorily on field sobriety tests and a breath test showed he had a blood alcohol content of 0.197, according to the affidavit. He allegedly refused a blood test and police obtained a warrant for the draw, taken at Mount Nittany Medical Center more than three hours after the crash. A toxicology report from the state police Bureau of Forensic Services showed his blood alcohol content at the time of the draw was 0.183, police wrote.
Two individuals who were with White prior to the crash said he had consumed multiple drinks at each of several bars throughout the night and should not have been driving, according to the affidavit.
Crash reconstruction and video analysis found that Ruscillo was jogging across the intersection behind another pedestrian at a point where posted signs indicate pedestrians are not intended to cross as White drove along the 300 block of East College Avenue, police wrote. As White approached a green light, he swerved into the left lane and struck Ruscillo, according to the affidavit.
Ruscillo was thrown several feet from the impact and White continued driving without stopping, police wrote.
Video analysis determined White was traveling at 36 to 38 mph in a 25 mph zone. Police wrote that the crash occurred at a time early Saturday morning soon after bars had closed and pedestrian traffic is known to be heavy. Light snow and rain were also contributing factors, according to the affidavit.
Ruscillo suffered a traumatic brain injury, brain bleed, fractured skull, facial fractures, collapsed lung and broken ribs. She was flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and remained hospitalized as of at least March 30, according to the most recent update on a GoFundMe page for her medical expenses.
“There have been very low moments and inspiring moments throughout her recovery journey. Sophia is a warrior!” her family wrote. “As Sophia recovers, pieces of our hearts are being put back together with her. We are hopeful that she will be coming home soon. The love, prayers and support from our family, friends and community has been overwhelming and humbling. Thank you to everyone for supporting our family through this ordeal!”
White is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, accident involving death or injury while not licensed and accident involving death or injury, as well as misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence and four summary traffic violations.
He was arraigned on Friday morning by District Judge Don Hahn, who set unsecured bail at $55,000.
White waived his preliminary hearing. Formal arraignment is scheduled for May 13.
