An Ashland University junior crashed into two parked cars in the Patterson lot while allegedly driving drunk early Saturday morning.

According to Ashland City Police, Joseph Paulucci III, 21, 8380 Marcy Road NW, Lancaster, initially left the scene of the crash, but returned a short time later and was cited for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Paulucci was driving a 1997 Jeep Wrangler when he pulled into the Patterson parking lot, which is located between Clark Hall and Patterson.

Paulucci’s jeep struck a parked 2003 Hyundai Sonata, causing the Hyundai to hit a 2009 Porsche Cayenne that was parked nearby. Both parked vehicles sustained minor damage.

According to Director of Safety Services Dave McLaughlin, Paulucci was driving at a “relatively high rate of speed” but the ice and snow made the accident worse. The police report lists snow and wetness as road conditions.

McLaughlin said Safety Services called the police because of the damage done to the vehicles and the fact that Paulucci fled the scene.

“When there’s damage involved, we get the police involved,” McLaughlin said.

Safety Services was notified at 4:10 a.m.. The police were called at 4:48 a.m., and they arrived on the scene shortly after, according to McLaughlin.