CLEARFIELD – A Reynoldsville man accused of hitting two women with a jeep at a mud pit waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Eric A. Burtop faces charges of recklessly endanginerg another person, criminal mischief, unauthorized use of an automobile and other vehicles, purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages. A charge of aggravated assault was dropped.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the incident occurred on May 28 at a property on McGee’s Mills Road in Bell Township. The incident occurred on private property in which the owner had a mud pit for vehicles to run through. The pit was at the bottom of slope, with specators standing on the hill. A Jeep Wrangler was parked at a small embankment, behind the spectator area. Burtop reportedly jumped into the driver’s seat without the owner’s permission and attempted to start the vehicle. The vehicle was put into gear and rolled toward the pit. On the way, the vehicle struck two women who were watching the mud pit, continued on and struck a Dodge truck.
Burtop agreed to a blood draw, and his BAC came back 0.193 percent.