A Pennsylvania man faces charges for allegedly providing alcohol to Kavan Markwood, the underage baseball fan who was critically injured in a 21-foot fall at Pittsburgh's PNC Park last month.
Markwood, 20, fell from the bleachers onto the field during the seventh inning of the Pirates-Cubs game on April 30, breaking his neck and back. He reportedly drank two beers inside the stadium, according to a criminal complaint.
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A Pennsylvania man faces charges for allegedly providing alcohol to Kavan Markwood, the underage baseball fan who was critically injured in a 21-foot fall at Pittsburgh's PNC Park last month.
Markwood, 20, fell from the bleachers onto the field during the seventh inning of the Pirates-Cubs game on April 30, breaking his neck and back. He reportedly drank two beers inside the stadium, according to a criminal complaint.
No reports have indicated whether Markwood consumed alcohol prior to entering PNC Park.
Related: Fan in Critical Condition After Falling from 21-Foot Wall at PNC Park
As reported by ABC News, 21-year-old Ethan Kirkwood now faces criminal charges for allegedly providing the alcohol, Pennsylvania State Police said Tuesday.
Police reviewed receipts and video footage from PNC Park that showed Kirkwood purchased two 24-ounce cans of Miller Lite shortly before 7 p.m. the night of the game, according to the complaint.
He is then seen on the video walking away from the bar area with Markwood and two women, with both men holding a can, according to the complaint.
Over an hour later, Kirkwood is seen walking to the bar area and then walking to the seated area of the ballpark holding two cans of alcohol, according to the complaint.
Related: New Details Emerge After Fan's 21-Foot Fall Wednesday at PNC Park
After Markwood fell from the bleachers, Kirkwood "is then seen handing a can to a female who throws it in the trash and jumping over a railing and then jumped on the field to help his friend," the complaint states.
In interviews with police following the incident, Markwood's girlfriend said the 20-year-old drank two beers inside the park, and Kirkwood allegedly admitted to purchasing the alcohol, according to the complaint.
He has been charged with two counts of selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor, court records show. A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for June 23.
In the immediate aftermath of the fall, a fan seated five rows behind Markwood claimed the 20-year-old was drunk when the incident occurred in the game's seventh inning, after the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run double.
During the previous inning, Markwood reportedly "ripped his shirt off and poured beer all over himself," the witness said, as reported by The U.S. Sun.
When McCutchen doubled, Markwood "jumped up so quick, while being drunk, he literally propelled himself off the ledge," the fan witnessed from behind. "He didn't do it on purpose and no one pushed him."
According to Meredith Deliso of ABC News, the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety said the "incident is being treated as accidental."
Amy Thompson, who was sitting next to Markwood at the game, told Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE, "As he jumped out of his seat to celebrate, it appeared that he had his hands on the fence in front of us, which I had done several times during the game, as well. I think the momentum from him jumping up in his seat and the way he grabbed the rail just seemed like he catapulted himself over the railing."
Markwood took his first steps since the fall earlier this month, according to his girlfriend's mother, ABC News reported.
Related: Fan Who Fell From Stands Last Week at PNC Park Takes First Steps
"He still has a long way to go — he’s dealing with a broken neck, clavicle, and back so there are plenty of obstacles ahead," his girlfriend's mom, Jennifer Phillips, wrote on his GoFundMe page May 6, as reported by ABC News. "But he’s showing real strength, and we’re staying hopeful for a smooth recovery."
