Man Charged With Aggravated Assault by Vehicle After High-Speed Chase Ended in Crash Near Penn State Campus

A New York man is suspected to have been under the influence of marijuana when he led Penn State police on a high-speed chase and crashed his car early Wednesday morning near the University Park campus, according to a criminal complaint.

Oscar A. Algarra, 20, was driving a Honda Accord with two passengers at about 3:10 a.m. when he failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Porter and Curtin roads, police wrote. When a university officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Algarra allegedly drove off at a high rate of speed, traveling north on Porter Road across East Park Avenue and onto Fox Hollow Road.

The officer pursued Algarra at speeds up to 100 mph before Algarra crashed the Honda into bushes and trees at the turn in the road where Fox Hollow becomes Fox Hill Road, according to the complaint.

A male passenger, who was lying on the ground with blood on his mouth after the crash, and a female passenger were taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center to be treated for head injuries.

Algarra was taken into custody and allegedly said he fled because he did not have a license.

During a search, the officer found in Algarra’s pocket a vape pen that later tested positive for THC, police wrote. The officer observed an odor of marijuana on Algarra, who said he had last smoked the drug on Saturday, according to the complaint.

He was taken to the hospital and agreed to a blood draw to be sent to a laboratory for chemical testing, police wrote.

Algarra is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and fleeing an officer, misdemeanor counts of DUI, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and three summary traffic violations.

He was arraigned by District Judge Steven Lachman, who set bail at 10% of $50,000. Algarra had not posted bail as of Wednesday afternoon and was detained at the Centre County Correctional Facility.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21.