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First Posted: 5/9/2014 NANTICOKE &#8212; A man from Mountain Top was arraigned Friday on charges he intentionally struck his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend with a vehicle at Weis Plaza.
City police allege Jeffrey Alan Golden II, 19, of Church Road, drove a 2004 Chrysler at a high rate of speed and struck Erica Gernhart and Ryan Baker at about 3:47 p.m. Thursday.
Gernhart was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township. Baker suffered bruises on his arms and hands but did not seek medical treatment, police said.
Golden was charged with two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and stalking, and one count each of reckless driving, failure to stop and render aid and failure to notify police of an accident. He was arraigned by District Judge Joseph Halesey in Hanover Township and jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $20,000 bail.
According to the criminal complaint:
Gernhart and Baker left Luzerne County Community College&#8217;s Culinary Art&#8217;s building when they were confronted by Golden at about 3:30 p.m.
Gernhart ran away to call 911 as Golden allegedly swung his fist at Baker.
Police said in the complaint neither Gernhart and Baker claimed to be injured. Golden said he would stop his actions and leave.
Police left the scene but returned 17 minutes later when Golden allegedly struck Gernhart and Baker as they crossed Weis Plaza near Lower Broadway, the complaint says.
Baker allegedly told police Golden swerved his vehicle at a high rate of speed, hit them and knocked them both down. Golden failed to stop and parked the vehicle that had sustained a flat tire and a broken driver&#8217;s side mirror, according to the complaint.
Police said in the complaint that Golden told witnesses to the crash, &#8220;I meant to hit her. I have to go, the police are coming to get me.&#8221;
A witness pursued Golden into a wooded area and escorted him back to the scene where he was arrested, police said.
Police said Golden intended to cause harm or serious bodily injury to Gernhart and Baker because he was disappointed about their relationship, the complaint says.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on May 21 before District Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.

Ex-boyfriend charged with hitting woman with car