Troopers: Fayette County man admitted abandoning SUV, running from scene of 3-vehicle crash in Youngwood

State police allege a Fayette County man abandoned his SUV after a three-vehicle crash on Route 119 that sent one driver to the hospital, according to court documents.

Michael J. Norris, 56, of Uniontown, told troopers in a recent interview that he “panicked” after the 10:14 p.m. crash Jan. 4 near the intersection of Washington Street along the southbound lanes and ran from the scene.

Trooper Kalin Gerhard said in court papers that troopers traced the vehicle to Norris through the license plate on the 2013 Buick Enclave that was registered to a relative. The owner told investigators she had parked the vehicle at Norris’ home because he had a spare parking space, but he was not permitted to drive it because he had a suspended license.

The owner also reported that she had dropped the insurance on the vehicle because she was not driving it.

Gerhard said when he arrived at the crash scene, the driver of one of the vehicles involved was lying on the ground next to his vehicle being treated by Mutual Aid paramedics. The man said the driver who caused the crash had fled the scene.

Gerhard reported the injured driver was taken by ambulance to Excela Health hospital in Greensburg for multiple injuries. A third driver said Norris’ vehicle also hit the side of his vehicle.

Other witnesses told police that an older white man wearing jeans and a leather coat had abandoned his vehicle and ran south on Route 119. Gerhard said in court documents one witness later identified Norris from an old driver’s license photograph.

When Norris was interviewed by Gerhard, the trooper said Norris admitted he drove the relative’s SUV that evening to a Hempfield grocery store and was returning home “when he took his eyes off the road.”

After the crash, Gerhard said Norris told him “he panicked.”

“(Norris) said he contacted a friend to pick him up and drive him home,” Gerhard wrote in court papers filed Tuesday.

Gerhard also said Norris admitted to driving the relative’s vehicle without the permission.

Norris is charged with abandoning a vehicle, causing an accident involving personal injury, causing an accident involving personal injury on a suspended license, failing to stop and render aid.

Norris could not be reached for comment and did not have an attorney listed in online court dockets.

Norris was served via mailed summons. A preliminary hearing is scheduled March 25.