HEMPFIELD, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania man has admitted using his SUV as a weapon against a romantic rival last year.
Seth Vanderella, 27, of Greensburg, pleaded guilty Monday to simple assault, reckless endangerment and three traffic offenses stemming from the July 4 incident in Hempfield. In return, Westmoreland County prosecutors dismissed an aggravated assault charge.
Authorities said Vanderella saw a man who was dating his former girlfriend and purposely drove into him before speeding away, causing undisclosed injuries. Vanderella had claimed the victim was the aggressor.
Vanderella received a sentence of six to 23 months on Monday, but was then freed on parole after he got credit for the jail time he had served while awaiting trial. Vanderella also must not have any contact with his former girlfriend and the victim.
The incident was the second time in less than two years that Vanderella admitted causing injuries to another person with a vehicle.
He struck a female pedestrian in April 2018 when he drove onto a sidewalk in a Hempfield shopping plaza parking land then drove away. The woman suffered multiple broken bones and bruises.
Vanderella eventually pleaded guilty to hit-and-run and other offenses.
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