An Ohio University student was arrested Tuesday night after striking another student with her vehicle three times because of a disputed parking space.
Alyssa A. Basista, a 21-year-old OU student, was charged with assault, a first-degree misdemeanor, after Athens Police officers responded to a complaint that she struck Jeffrey Barksdale, another OU student, with a vehicle three times in front of Chubb Hall at about 7:09 p.m. Tuesday, according to a police report.
Basista pleaded not guilty to the charge and said in an email that she denies all charges.
“I did not strike anyone with my car,” Basista said.
Barksdale could not be reached for comment.
Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle said there was no relation between the two individuals.
“It was a dispute over parking spaces,” Pyle said. “The male was trying to save the parking space, and the girl was trying to park.”
Basista was not taken to jail, Pyle said.
Although Barksdale’s injuries are unknown, Pyle said the student told officers he knew he had been struck by a car three times.
If convicted, Basista could spend up to 180 days in jail and pay up to $1,000, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
Basista’s preliminary hearing will be held at 8 a.m. June 1 in Athens County Municipal Court.
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