Armstrong County man accused in hit-and-run crash with bicyclist

A 20-year-old bicyclist suffered multiple facial fractures, a broken jaw and a broken arm Friday night after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver Friday in Bell Township, state police said.

The incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. in front of the Dollar General on Route 981, according to court documents.

Donald H. McKnight Jr., 54, of Kiski Township, was arraigned Monday before District Judge Jason Buczak, Washington Township, on charges of leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury, failing to stop and render aid, failing to notify police of an accident involving serious injury, being involved in an accident involving damage to an attended vehicle and disregarding traffic lanes.

Te victim, Nikial R. Legars of Bell Township, was flown from the scene just north of Route 156 to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh for treatment of “non-life threatening” injuries, Trooper Shauntai Hall told the Tribune-Review. Legars’ injuries were not considered to be life-threatening, according to Hall.

Legars described to investigators McKnight’s full-size, red Chevrolet Silverado 2500 pickup, which police said continued north after the collision, Hall said. Investigators also recovered a passenger side mirror from McKnight’s pickup at the scene, according to Hall.

McKnight turned himself in Sunday afternoon.

McKnight could not be reached for comment, and he did not have an attorney listed in court documents. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 31.

Online court records show McKnight last year twice pleaded guilty to driving more than 5 mph over the speed limit in Potter County.