BUTLER TWP — A suspected drunken driver — instead of seeking help — left his badly injured friend behind after crashing a car they were riding in, authorities said.

Township police on Monday charged 31-year-old Matthew Hamersley of Clearfield Township with three felonies stemming from the March 8 wreck on Mercer Road.

Hamersley’s front seat passenger, Keith Reges, 27, of Butler, suffered several serious injuries, including bleeding on his brain and multiple facial and pelvic fractures, according to court documents.

Reges remains in critical condition at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, authorities said.

Police said Hamersley about 12:45 a.m. lost control of his car while traveling north on Mercer Road. The vehicle slid across the southbound lanes and through the intersection with Kresh Lane.

The car’s passenger side slammed into a utility pole.

Volunteer firefighters had to rescue Reges, who was trapped in the vehicle.

Hamersley and two back seat passengers — Adam M. Spinner, 25, and Nick Defelice, 23, both of Butler — fled before police or emergency crews got there, investigators said.

None of the occupants was wearing a seat belt, police said.

Police found Hamersley and Defelice a short time later walking on Mercer Road. Defelice, who was hurt, was treated for minor injuries at Butler Memorial Hospital and released.

Spinner got away but was caught later that day on an arrest warrant in connection with a shoplifting incident Oct. 24 in the township.

Officers in speaking with Hamersley noticed a “strong odor” of alcohol coming from him, documents said. He refused to take a blood test.

Police said a search of Hamersley turned up pills of methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin, and Adderall, both prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

He did not have prescriptions for the drugs, police said. Police said they also found suspected marijuana during their search.

Hamersley is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle and accidents resulting in injury, all felonies.

Additionally, he is charged with three counts of reckless endangerment, DUI, possession of a controlled substance and a small amount of marijuana, failing to render aid after an accident, driving too fast for conditions, reckless driving and a seat belt violation.