Woman ‘searching for ghosts’ struck by car in Armstrong County

A woman was recovering Tuesday from extensive injuries to her neck, head and brain suffered last weekend after she was hit and dragged by a car in Armstrong County, state police said.

State police Lt. Eric Simko said the woman, who was not identified, had been outside a car with friends hunting for ghosts around 2:30 a.m. Sunday near Little Germany and Campbells Run roads in Kittanning Township.

State police found and interviewed the suspected driver who struck the woman, Simko said.

Troopers on Monday found a white Ford Focus they believe hit the woman and interviewed the suspected driver and witnesses to the crash. Discussions were underway Tuesday with the office of Armstrong County District Attorney Katie Charlton about the case.

“The facts and circumstances of the incident remain under investigation,” Charlton said Tuesday.

Simko said troopers were able to match serial numbers of parts found at the crime scene with parts on the car.

“The missing mirror was one of the items found,” Simko said.

State police said the incident happened while the woman and her friends were out of their car “searching for ghosts.” Another woman pulled up behind the car and started yelling at them to get off the road. The victim was standing beside her car on the driver’s side.

After exchanging words, the suspect smashed her car into the driver side rear bumper of the victim’s car, then sped around the driver’s side and hit the victim with her car, state police said.

The victim was dragged 20 to 30 feet before falling off the suspect’s car in the middle of the road.

The victim was in an area hospital and improving, Simko said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call state police at 724-543-2011.

Brian Rittmeyer and Chuck Biedka are Tribune-Review staff writers. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BCRittmeyer. You can contact Chuck at 724-226-4711, cbiedka@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ChuckBiedka.