Local Doctor Headed to Trial

A local doctor accused of pointing a pistol at two Erie teenagers during an incident on Interstate 79 back in December, is headed to trial.

At his preliminary hearing Wednesday in Mercer County, Raymond McAllister, 45, pleaded not guilty to two counts of terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, one count of following too closely and one count of reckless driving.

The charges stem from a road rage incident on New Years Eve. Anthony Grucza, 19, testified he and his friend Jonathan Brown were driving in the left lane on I-79 southbound, when McAllister started tailing them near the Peach Street exit. After McAllister sped past Grucza and Brown, the teens said they saw him speeding and driving erratically on the highway.

Brown, the passenger in Grucza's vehicle, called 911 three times to alert police of McAllister's driving. 60 miles later, Grucza pulled up to McAllister's vehicle near the Mercer/Franklin exit in Mercer County, when they looked his way and shrugged their arms. That's when McAllister allegedly pointed a pistol at them.

Cpl. James H. Powell of the Pennsylvania State Police also took the stand, testifying he found a pistol in the front seat of McAllister's vehicle. According to Cpl. Powell's testimony, McAllister had the safety on his pistol, and said he tapped the gun on the window because the teens were aggressive toward him.

McAllister did not take the stand, but his lawyer said his client was just trying to "diffuse" the situation.

McAllister is out on $25,000 bond. A trial date has not been set.