|
High school player's dad arrested for assault on official
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A parent of a Hampton High School boys' basketball player has been arrested and charged with simple assault after allegedly attacking an official and slamming him onto the floor at a game Friday afternoon at Deer Lakes High School.
Peter Dukovich, 47, of Hampton, was also charged with assault on a sports official and disorderly conduct for his actions against official Ron Bell in the third quarter of the Hampton-Deer Lakes game. Bell was taken by ambulance to UPMC St. Margaret. Bell had a severe concussion and was released later Friday night.
Dukovich was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and released Sunday. His wife, Raelynn, also was cited for disorderly conduct for her part in the incident.
"We know there are nutso parents out there, but you never think something like this will happen to you," said Bell, 57, an official for 24 years.
According to West Deer Police Chief John Lape, the incident started after Dukovich's son, Tim, and a Deer Lakes player got into a fight on the court. Tim Dukovich is a 6-foot-3 junior forward for Hampton.
Lape said some fans came out of the stands. Peter Dukovich "picked [Bell] up and threw him onto the hardwood floor, with his back striking first and his head bouncing off the floor."
Lape said Dukovich is "about 6 feet 3, 300 pounds." Bell, a Scottdale resident, is 5-8, 170.
"No wonder I went flying around like I was a wash rag," Bell said.
Bell said he believes he was unconscious for a short while after the incident.
"I never saw the guy coming," Bell said. "All I know is somebody came from behind and bear-hugged me. Then he flipped me right over his shoulder and I came down on the back of my head and my shoulder."
Bell was to see a doctor again yesterday.
"My neck is still all jammed and I still can't even move my right arm," Bell said.
Dukovich said he was "sick" about the incident. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 25 before West Deer District Justice Suzanne Blaschak.
But Dukovich also said the incident was not being portrayed accurately.
"It didn't happen the way they're saying it happened. I really can't say too much more than that," he said.
The game was played at 4 p.m. and the only fans allowed to attend were parents, grandparents and school officials. The Deer Lakes at Hampton game earlier this year was played under the same conditions because of fights among students of both schools at a Hampton-Deer Lakes game last year.
According to the police report, the fight between Tim Dukovich and a Deer Lakes player started in the third quarter. Lape said RaeLynn Dukovich was swearing at one of the officials. Besides Bell, the other two officials were Rick McKernan and Paul Tatarko.
RaeLynn Dukovich was asked to leave the gymnasium three times.
"An officer physically had to remove her," Lape said. "As this was going on, [Peter Dukovich] came down onto the court, onto the floor and picked up the referee [Bell]."
Bell said, "I was blowing my whistle, trying to get the players to stop fighting when somebody came from behind."
The WPIAL has asked Hampton and Deer Lakes to investigate the incident and file reports with the league office. Hampton said it was gathering information from witnesses.
"We've had incidents before where there has been bumping, pushing, shoving, jostling and yelling. But I don't think we've ever had anything that's risen to this level where someone goes to the hospital," said WPIAL executive director Larry Hanley
After the incident, the game was suspended with Hampton leading. Deer Lakes coach Kevin Smetak said it won't be finished and will count as no game.
|