Lower Burrell man faces assault, escape charges after hospital brawl

A Lower Burrell man arrested last month on assault charges faces more charges this week stemming from a brawl at Allegheny Valley Hospital.

Matthew D. Hoessler, 23, was charged with aggravated assault and attempted escape after police said he fought with Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies and hospital police when he was taken to the emergency room of the Harrison hospital Feb. 23.

According to court documents, Hoessler had been arrested by Vandergrift police that day on charges that he assaulted two people in the borough. Because he had a pre-existing injury, Westmoreland County Prison officials required he be seen by a doctor before being brought to the jail.

The complaint said sheriff’s deputies Nicholas Frohnhofer and William Kelly arrived at the hospital around 8 p.m. to take Hoessler to the jail after he was examined by medical staff in the emergency room.

Highmark Health police Officer Jeffrey Brautigam said in court documents that the handcuffed Hoessler “became uncooperative with medical staff” prior to the examination. He was escorted out of the facility by the two deputies and hospital security Officer Gregory Bowser.

As the three officers led Hoessler to the sheriff’s vehicle, the complaint said, “Hoessler continued to be disruptive and screaming to the point it alarmed medical staff and other patients within the emergency room.”

When Hoessler got outside, Brautigam said Hoessler intentionally fell to the sidewalk and began resisting officers.

The complaint said that Frohnhofer and Kelly lifted the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Hoessler to his feet and attempted to place him in the rear seat of the patrol vehicle.

But Hoessler became combative and attempted to flee, “forcing his way through” the officers in an attempt to escape, court documents said.

The complaint alleges that Hoessler caused about $5,000 damage to the sheriff’s vehicle.

Hoessler was tackled to the ground, but he still kicked Bowser in the stomach, causing him to fall backward into a vehicle parked nearby, Brautigam said. Bowser suffered a lower back injury during the fracas that caused him to miss work, according to court records.

Police said the confrontation lasted about 15 minutes.

Hoessler was subsequently incarcerated at the county jail.

On Feb. 24, Allegheny Township District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec revoked Hoessler’s previous $5,000 bond on the initial assault and he remains in the jail, according to court documents.