Sewickley Township man to serve jail sentence for vehicle assault

Rich Cholodofsky | Tuesday, December 10, 2024 5:19 p.m.

Metro Creative

Gavel, a small mallet used by the presiding officer of a meeting, a judge, etc., usually to signal for attention or order in a courtroom.

A Sewickley Township man who pleaded guilty last year to running a down a man outside a Hempfield townhouse three years ago was ordered Tuesday to serve at least seven months in jail.

Bradley A. Cook, 24, in August 2023 pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault by vehicle in connection with an incident in January 2021 in which police said he intentionally crashed into his victim in the parking lot of a Westmoreland County Housing Authority complex.

According to court records, Eugene Hunter claimed he attempted to intervene in a domestic argument when Cook became angry, tried to start a fight and then returned to his SUV. Hunter told police he heard Cook’s vehicle speed toward him, crashed into its hood and windshield before it drove off.

Police said the crash was recorded on video.

Prosecutors dismissed eight of the nine charges filed against Cook during a guilty plea hearing in August 2023.

Cook had been free on a $50,000 unsecured bond until he failed to appear in court for a sentencing hearing last March.

He was taken into custody in September on a bench warrant.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger said he sentenced Cook to a mitigated sentence to allow him to resume work as a bricklayer when construction season begins this spring. Cook was given credit for time he has served in jail since after he was detained earlier this year and will be eligible for parole in April.