Police: Hit-run driver drove to liquor store after causing Route 30 crash in North Huntingdon

North Huntingdon police say a man was under the influence of alcohol, hit another driver and left the scene before making a quick stop at a liquor store and circling back past the crash on Route 30.

Dennis M. Moog Jr., 58, of Jeannette, was arrested Saturday on multiple misdemeanor and traffic offenses after the 4 p.m. crash near Barnes Lake Road.

Police said the woman whose car Moog allegedly struck in the westbound lanes told investigators that the driver of the red Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck continued west after the crash without stopping. She was able to obtain the license number and provided it to police.

Township officer Daniel Foster reported that police immediately began canvassing the area for the damaged truck and spotted it about 4 p.m. on Norwin Avenue, where a state liquor store is located, headed toward Route 30. Foster said he attempted a traffic stop.

The driver turned on to Route 30 eastbound and refused to pull over, Foster alleged in court papers .

“(Moog) proceeded past numerous safe locations to pull over. As we passed the the (accident) location, the victim told police Sgt. Nick Dreistadt that the vehicle I was pursuing was, in fact, the vehicle that struck her vehicle,” Foster wrote in court papers.

The woman was not injured.

Foster said as the pursuit continued east on Route 30 and an Irwin police cruiser assisted in blocking Moog’s truck and pulling him over.

“Moog had a bewildered look on his face and was mumbling,” Foster said in court documents.

Police had to put Moog’s truck in “park” and engage the emergency brake.

Foster reported that police had to assist Moog out of the vehicle and he had trouble maintaining his balance. Moog denied drinking alcohol, but failed field sobriety tests at the scene. Police discovered an unopened bottle of liquor Moog had purchased at the Norwin Avenue store in his truck.

Moog is charged with causing an accident to an attended vehicle, DUI, failing to stop and render aid and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

According to online dockets, Moog has no prior criminal record. He could not be reached for comment and did not have an attorney listed in court documents.