Driver Accused Of Hitting 2 Motorcyclists To Stand Trial
GREENSBURG (KDKA) – A man accused of hitting and injuring two motorcyclists earlier this month in Westmoreland County will stand trial.
Brian Schlagel, 39, was in court Wednesday morning for a preliminary hearing. He walked handcuffed into court.
During the hearing in North Huntington, witness after witness took the stand, testifying Schlagel was behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck two motorcyclists.
The accident happened at Main Street and Route 30 in North Huntingdon Township. Officials said the vehicle crashed into the two motorcyclists, throwing them from their mangled bikes.
"It was something to see, don't want to see it again," said witness Anthony Shusterse.
Shusterse arrived at the crash moments after the vehicle plowed into the two motorcyclists stopped at a stop sign. The male rider's back was broken by the impact.
Shusterse testified he tried to stop Schlagel from driving away.
Shusterse: "Grabbed the door, tried to get it open. I actually punched the widow one time.
KDKA's Ross Guidotti: "He looks at you. What did you see in his eyes?"
Shusterse: "Nothing, it was like a dead stare."
Schlagel allegedly sped away, nearly hitting several others who stopped to help the injured rider and his wife who was also hurt. She suffered minor injuries. She asked that we not identify her.
"He's got some rods in his back. He's got a lot of healing," she said. "He's moving a little, but it's going to be getting his strength back to where it needs to be."
Schlagel faces multiple felony counts, including aggravated assault with a motor vehicle. All charges were held for trial. He remains in the Westmoreland County Jail on $300,000 straight cash bond.
"Make sure he stays in jail," the victim's wife said. "I feel for his family, but the made a conscious decision to leave."
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