A State College Borough employee remained in critical condition yesterday following an alcohol-related accident early Friday morning that also seriously injured another borough employee.

A northbound vehicle driven by Renee Patterson, 23, crossed the center of North Atherton Street into the southbound lane, striking several trees on the west side of the 700 block of the roadway, the State College Police Department said. The accident occurred at 1:21 a.m. Friday, police said.

Cpl. Mark Argiro said yesterday that alcohol was a factor in the accident, but would not specify the driver's blood alcohol level. Argiro said more information would be released this week in court documents.

Patterson and a passenger, 21-year-old Ronald Heichel, were trapped inside the vehicle. Medics from the Alpha Community Ambulance Service rescued the two, police said.

A Life Lion helicopter transported Heichel, of Millheim, to the Hershey Medical Center, police said. A center spokeswoman said yesterday that Heichel remained in critical care and was listed in critical condition.

Patterson, of State College, was taken to Centre Community Hospital and was listed in fair condition Friday, police said. Later in the day, she was transferred to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Patterson is listed in satisfactory condition, a Geisinger spokeswoman said yesterday.

Both Patterson and Heichel work for the Borough's parking authority, said Sgt. John Wilson, community relations director for State College Police.

According to police, Patterson's vehicle was traveling northbound in the 700 block of North Atherton Street before crossing the lane and coming to rest in the front yard of a residence at 730 North Atherton Street.

State College Police Department's accident reconstructionists are continuing to investigate the accident, police said. Anyone who witnessed the accident and has not yet spoken with a police officer is asked to call police at 234-7150.