A good friend of the 20-year-old Pirates fan who suffered extreme accidents after falling 21 ft from the stands at PNC Park final month has been charged for allegedly shopping for alcohol for him earlier than the incident, courtroom information present, in line with a number of reviews.
Ethan Kirkwood, 21, allegedly purchased two beers for Kavan Markwood throughout the Pirates-Cubs sport on April 30 and now faces two misdemeanor counts of furnishing alcohol to somebody beneath the age of 21, per courtroom information.
Markwood, who performed school soccer at Wheeling College in 2023, suffered accidents to his cranium, backbone, lungs, ribs and mind after falling head-first over the wall — which is 21 ft excessive to honor Pirates legend Roberto Clemente — whereas celebrating an Andrew McCutchen double throughout the seventh inning, as seen in fan-captured movies.
Safety footage from inside PNC Park allegedly exhibits Kirkwood shopping for two 24-ounce Miller Lites from a kiosk shortly earlier than first pitch, in line with the prison criticism filed by a state police liquor management enforcement officer.
One video allegedly exhibits Kirkwood and Markwood each with a beer in hand, police stated within the criticism, which famous the server carded Kirkwood throughout the buy.
Different footage exhibits Kirkwood returning to his seat with two extra cans of beer about 50 minutes earlier than Markwood fell onto the proper area warning monitor.
“Two females are seen working down the steps and searching for Kirkwood. Kirkwood is then seen handing a can to a feminine who throws it within the trash and leaping over a railing after which jumped on the sector to assist his good friend,” the prison criticism reportedly reads.
The sport was quickly delayed as medical workers and trainers tended to Markwood, who was carted off the sector and brought to a hospital in vital situation.
Markwood’s household began a GoFundMe to lift cash to cowl his medical bills and restoration from a damaged neck and clavicle.
“Damaged all the things,” Markwood stated, describing his accidents after the incident.
He took his first steps on Could 5, his household stated.
“It’s a gradual gradual course of, however seeing him up and shifting was an enormous win and undoubtedly lifted everybody’s spirits,” the household stated. “He nonetheless has a protracted option to go — he’s coping with a damaged neck, clavicle, and again so there are many obstacles forward. However he’s exhibiting actual power, and we’re staying looking forward to a clean restoration. This may also require loads of relaxation and following directions from the nice docs, nurses and workers on the hospital.”
On the time, Allegheny Common Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Al Philp stated Markwood had progressed properly.
Markwood was additionally making ready for bodily remedy rehab, which can embrace cognitive rehab as a result of mind accidents.
