Slippery Rock driver jailed on 12 charges, $100K bond after roadside worker struck by car

A 27-year-old Slippery Rock man remains in the Mercer County Jail on $100,000 bond on a dozen charges after a crash Friday morning that seriously injured a man working along the roadside in Liberty Township, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Tristan Galarza was arraigned in district court Saturday on charges including aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, accidents involving injury while not licensed, failure to keep right, as well as careless and reckless driving. Three of the charges are felonies.

Police say Galarza was driving the Toyota Corolla at around 9 a.m. that veered off on North Liberty Road, striking a 62-year-old man who was working in a culvert.

The victim was taken by helicopter to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown with multiple serious injuries, including a compound fracture to his right leg, several broken ribs, and multiple skull fractures.

Galarza is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 17.