The attorney for a State College man who was dragged 1,170 feet underneath a Penn State Housing and Food Services van intends to file suit against the university and the driver of the van.

Attorney Philip Masorti, who represents Heath A. Hague, claims Penn State and the driver, Jacquelyn Munn, are negligent in the incident that critically injured the man early Sept. 1.

"We think [Munn] ran him over," Masorti said.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said Penn State Police Services found no evidence that Hague was hit or knocked down by the university van.

Masorti said Hague cannot recall how he came to be underneath the van. Masorti acknowledged his client, who was 20 at the time, was drinking the night of the incident.

However, Masorti said the severity of Hague's injuries has impaired his memory of what happened.

"He was seriously injured, and suffered psychological and emotional damage in relation to this accident," Masorti said.

In addition, he said, Hague suffered limb impairment, other physical injuries and "terrible" scarring.

"His medical expenses are about equal to the average salary of a shortstop in the major leagues," Masorti said.

Masorti said he filed a writ of summons Feb. 12 that serves legal notice of intent of a lawsuit against the parties. The writ of summons generally allows 30 days from that date until a formal lawsuit is filed, he said.

Details of what transpired Sept. 1 are still sketchy, Masorti said.

"We're still trying to find that out," he said.

Mahon said Hague has not made himself available to police investigating the incident. Mahon said he is unaware of the details of the writ.

"They don't know what happened, but they're claiming Penn State's at fault. I guess that says something about them and the lawsuit," Mahon said.

According to the original Penn State Police Services' report, Hague, who is not a Penn State student, somehow got under the Housing and Food Services van parked in the Orange G lot outside Redifer Commons. He was then dragged 1,170 feet along College Avenue and Shortlidge Road to the Orange G lot at Simmons Hall.

Hague was discovered under the van when Munn got out to investigate a steering problem.

Masorti, however, questions the handling of the investigation by Penn State police.

"I have serious reservations about university police investigating an incident they might, themselves, be held liable for," he said.

Masorti also said police were covering for the university -- in the event of a possible lawsuit -- by obtaining a warrant for his client's blood alcohol content while he lay in critical condition.

"I've handled hundreds and hundreds of underage drinking cases, and this is the first time I've seen a search warrant for someone's blood," Masorti said. "He was a pedestrian."

Masorti said he would like to see an investigation into the incident by an outside agency.

Mahon defended police.

"In 20 years of working at the university, I've never heard anyone question the honesty and integrity of our police department," Mahon said. "That's ridiculous."

Munn, who is a student, could not be reached for comment.