CLEARFIELD – A Philipsburg man who was charged with hitting a man with his vehicle and leaving the scene recently pleaded guilty during plea colloquy court with sentencing.
Christopher Ray Johnson, 20, 218 North 10th St., Philipsburg, an inmate of the jail, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving death or personal injury, and recklessly endangering another person. He was sentenced to nine months to three years in state prison. He was fined $3 plus costs.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, police received a report of a hit and run accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian Oct. 16, 2012. The victim was walking on the side of the roadway when he was struck from behind by a car. He was transported to the Altoona Trauma Center, where he had surgery to save his right lower leg.
Information on the accident appeared in the local news asking for the public’s help in finding the vehicle. Reports indicated the vehicle in question was parked at 213 Loch Lomond Road, Philipsburg. When police talked with the owner, Johnson, they saw damage to the vehicle consistent with the accident information.
Johnson told police he was chasing another man and mistook the victim for him. When he attempted to swerve to confirm the man’s identity, he lost control of the vehicle and instead struck him. Johnson then fled because he was afraid. He told police he was sorry the victim was injured.
