Dumbass of the Day:Climbs outta van @55 MPR, then roams Nude on the Highway

Charges filed against man who walked naked along West Shore Bypass
4/30/2008 3:11:00 PM
Last Update: 5/02/2008 6:42:00 PM

Charges have been filed against the Reading man who walked naked along the West Shore Bypass after he was thrown from the roof of a minivan.

John W. Messerly, 38, of the 200 block of North Sixth Street had been in Berks County Prison since Friday without bail on allegations he violated his parole in an unrelated case.
Messerly was charged with risking a catastrophe and indecent exposure, open lewdness, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, driving while intoxicated, public drunkenness and other traffic violations.

Records indicate that Messerly had cocaine in his system when he was tested in the hospital. Police said Messerly was driving his employer’s minivan about 55 mph about 3 p.m. when he climbed out of the driver’s-side window, stood on the roof and was catapulted into the woods when the van crashed into a guide rail.

Police said he suffered a severe cut to his abdomen when he was thrown from the minivan into a wooded area along the highway, also known as Route 422.

Investigators said they still do not know why Messerly climbed out of the moving minivan.

In an interview with the Reading Eagle several days after the incident, Messerly denied climbing onto the roof. He said he was adjusting some lumber that had come loose when he was thrown out the passenger-side window.

Messerly said he climbed an embankment to get back onto the highway to seek help from passing motorists. He said he removed his clothes because he was in shock and wanted to see if he had any internal injuries. Messerly underwent emergency surgery in Reading Hospital and was released three days later.

Messerly is set to be arraigned Friday before District Judge Timothy M. Dougherty in West Reading.