A man driving a pickup truck hit a group of parked cars early yesterday morning, causing major damage to two cars and minor damage to one.

The State College Police Department said the vehicle's operator, Chad J. Rishel, of State College, had taken 10 pills of Valium that were not prescribed for him prior to the accident.

Rishel was driving his vehicle at about midnight yesterday, southbound on the 1600 block of Blue Course Drive, when he struck a parked car head on. The car sustained heavy damage and was pushed back about 8 to 10 feet as a result of the crash.

Rishel then hit a second car head on, which was pushed back to slightly damage a third car. Rishel was transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center where a paramedic informed police that Rishel told him he had taken Valium. Police ordered blood tests for Rishel.

Charges are pending, police said.