PENN TWP — A suspected drunken driver is accused of crashing into another vehicle — and punching the other driver in the face.

Brandon P. Thompson, 36, of Gibsonia is facing a hearing next month on charges of driving under the influence and simple assault stemming from the crash around 5 p.m. Monday at Route 8 and Vogel Road.

Penn Township police said Thompson was traveling north on Route 8 in the left lane when his sport utility vehicle struck a pickup that was stopped at a traffic light in front of him.

The other driver told police that he got out of his truck after the crash and noticed Thompson, who he believed was intoxicated, investigators said.

He recounted that he tried to keep Thompson in his vehicle, fearing he could be hit by other traffic. That's when the Thompson punched the victim, according to charging documents.

Officer Alyssa Mathews noted in her affidavit that the other driver had a cut and blood on his face.

Police said they spoke to a witness who saw the alleged assault.

Thompson was taken to the Butler police station for a breath test, which allegedly showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.226 percent — nearly three times the state's 0.08 percent legal limit.

He was arraigned on charges and released on nonmonetary bond. Online court records list his attorney as Carl Parise of Pittsburgh, who did not return a telephone call Friday.

Thompson's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 8 at the office of District Judge Sue Haggerty in Saxonburg.