Man held in ER brawl

21-year-old assaulted nurse assistant, doctor and security, police say

A 21-year-old man accused of assaulting a nursing assistant, a security guard and an emergency room doctor in Penn State Health St. Joseph hospital was ordered held for court on three felony counts after a preliminary hearing Tuesday, April 28, in Bern Township.

Sean P. Drasher, no permanent address, was returned to Berks County Prison in lieu of $35,000 bail to await further court action after the hearing before District Judge Brian K. Strand on charges of aggravated and simple assault.

According to Bern police:

On April 11 shortly before 7:30 p.m. police were dispatched to the hospital on Route 183.

Officer Larry Kutz was met by one the doctor, who related that Drasher was brought to the hospital from Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge, a drug and alcohol treatment center near Rehrersburg, due to reported aggressive behavior and thoughts of harming himself and others.

Drasher was placed in a room for treatment. A nursing assistant was outside monitoring his behavior.

A nurse entered the room to explain to Drasher that he was being transferred from the emergency department to be admitted for in-patient treatment. Drasher stood up and started screaming at hospital staff. He lunged at the nursing assistant, and as they wrestled, he punched the nursing assistant several times in the left shoulder.

Hospital security was dispatched. A guard entered the room and tried to restrain Drasher, who punched the guard several times in the chest and shoulder.

As the struggle continued, the ER doctor heard the commotion and went to assist. Drasher punched him several times in the face.

Drasher was eventually restrained by eight people then arrested.