Published Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001
HERMITAGE
Cops say crash driver admitted smoking crackTimothy Hassen, 21, of 510 Sheridan St., Hermitage, admitted he had smoked crack cocaine before he got into a two-car wreck at 3:50 p.m. Sunday on Morefield Road, police said.
Hassen wrecked his father's car, which he did not have permission to drive, police said. Hassan's father contacted police about his missing car before the crash.
Police said Hassen, who was driving east on Morefield, tried to pass a car driven by Ralph Shingledecker, 21, of 785 S. Hermitage Road; but Hassen's car slammed into Shingledecker's as it turned left onto Sunset Road.
Shingledecker and passenger Tyrone Carter, 19, of 25 Pine St., Wheatland, were treated at UPMC Horizon, Farrell, police said.
Police said Hassen told them he had smoked crack before the crash and they got a warrant for Hassen's blood-test results from Sharon Regional Health System, where he was taken after the crash.
Hassen was arraigned Monday by District Justice James E. McMahon, Sharon, for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and taken to Mercer County Jail after failing to post a $1,000 bond. Hassen was at the jail this morning, a spokeswoman said.