BERWICK, Penn. (WBRE/WYOU) — One person was killed and another 17 people injured when a vehicle struck a crowd gathered at a Pennsylvania bar. The man police say was the driver was later arrested in the killing of a woman nearby.
State troopers have charged Adrian Oswaldo Sura Reyes, a 24-year-old man from Nescopeck, with killing two people and sending 17 others to the hospital with injuries on Saturday.
State Trooper Anthony Petroski said 18 people were hit by a vehicle while gathered at the Intoxicology Department bar in Berwick at a fundraiser for the families of the 10 people who died in a house fire earlier this month. According to Petroski, the crash left one person dead and sent 17 people to the hospital.
A criminal complaint alleges Sura Reyes got into an argument with his mother, 56-year-old Rosa D. Reyes, in Nescopeck before he drove off to Berwick. Sura Reyes then drove past the bar before turning around and ramming the people outside, police said.
According to court records, Reyes told officers, “I didn’t ram ’em, I just ran them over.”
Scene in Berwick (WBRE/WYOU) 
Scene in Berwick (WBRE/WYOU)
After the crash, police said Reyes drove home, where his mother was standing outside. He sped up and hit her with his car before getting out and assaulting her with a hammer, police said. He struck her four or five times.
Crews on scene in Nescopeck Borough 
Crews on scene in Nescopeck Borough
Investigators say Sura Reyes faces two open counts of criminal homicide. He has been denied bail and is being held in the Columbia County Correctional Facility.
Reporters got a first look at Reyes at 3 a.m. on Sunday. When asked if he had any comment on the situation he responded, “Sorry, I’m sorry.”
Petroski told reporters at a midnight news conference that Sura Reyes was not currently a suspect in the fire, the cause of which remains under investigation.
“This is a complete tragedy in a community where there’s already been tragedy,” Petroski said. “We are going to do our job to the best of our abilities to conduct a thorough investigation not only for the families but the community members. They’re already hurting.”
(WBRE/WYOU Photo) 
(WBRE/WYOU Photo)
As of 6:30 p.m. Sunday, a representative from the hospital provided an update on 15 of the 17 patients being treated for injuries in the crash. Seven were still in the hospital, five of them in critical condition.
Columbia County Coroner Jeremy Reese said the person pronounced dead at the scene of the crash was a 50-year-old woman. She was identified as Rebecca L. Reese.
The Intoxicology Department bar, where the crash happened, announced they will be closed until further notice.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.