Apr 8, 2013 2 min read

A West Virginia man was arrested by state police at the Pittsburgh station after a Hanover Township crash Sunday that left his girlfriend in critical condition at a Pittsburgh hospital.

A witness told state police that he saw Shawn Michael McClure, 23, of Weirton, W.Va., throw a cooler over the hill after the crash on Hanlin Station Road as his girlfriend, Rachel Renee Woods, 22, also of Weirton, lay on the road after she was ejected from the vehicle. Police recovered the cooler, which they said contained open cans of Milwaukee Ice beer.

Woods was flown to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh with head injuries. She was listed in critical condition Monday afternoon.

State police were called to the crash about 7:25 p.m. and arrived as Woods was being loaded into the emergency helicopter. Police talked with McClure, who said he lost control going around a left curve in the road. His car struck a hillside on the right side of the road and overturned. McClure said he saw Woods face down on the road after the crash.

McClure told the trooper he had consumed four beers earlier that night. He was taken by police to Ohio Valley General Hospital, where blood was drawn to determine his alcohol level.

Police also determined that McClure’s driver’s license was suspended.

McClure was placed in the Washington County jail after he was denied bond at his arraignment by District Judge Joshua Kanalis. He is charged with aggravated assault by motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed, driving under the influence of alcohol, having an open container, not having his passenger properly restrained and numerous traffic violations.

A preliminary hearing is set for April 18 before District Judge Gary Havelka.