Charges against a Kane man accused in an alleged assault that left one man paralyzed were bound to McKean County Court at a preliminary hearing Monday before District Judge David Engman.
Frank J. Szarowicz Jr., 45, is charged with aggravated assault, a first-degree felony; recklessly endangering another person, a second-degree misdemeanor; simple assault, a third-degree misdemeanor; and summary charges of public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and harassment.
According to court records, Kane Borough Police were called at 11:56 p.m. Aug. 1 to a fight in progress at 117 Greeves St., with one man down. When officers arrived, the victim was on the sidewalk, unresponsive. When paramedics arrived, they could not wake him either.
The man was taken to UPMC Kane, and later flown via medical helicopter to UPMC Hamot in Erie. Court records allege the man was paralyzed.
Police interviewed witnesses, who said the victim “had been drinking and was mouthing off,” and then Szarowicz walked up to him and punched him in the right side of his face. The victim fell to the pavement, hitting his head and losing consciousness, court records allege.
Court records indicate that Szarowicz remains incarcerated in McKean County Jail. However, his bail has been decreased from $50,000 to $5,000.
