A North Side man who struck a police cruiser with his car and then fell out of the driver's seat early today was charged with driving under the influence, police said.

Joseph Krobot, 24, was transported to the Allegheny County Jail because he could not get a ride home.

Police said an officer tried to pull Mr. Krobot over after he saw him drive out of an Allegheny General Hospital parking lot with his headlights off shortly after midnight.

Mr. Krobot, who was behind the cruiser, attempted to pull out, but struck the cruiser three times. As his car continued down Sandusky Street, crossing North Avenue, Mr. Krobot opened the door and fell out in the middle of the intersection. His car continued into West Park, where it came to a stop.

Officers who responded to the scene found Mr. Krobot sitting with his legs crossed in the middle of the intersection of North Avenue and Sandusky Street sobbing uncontrollably. He told officers he didn't know what had happened and wasn't paying attention. He claimed he had just been released from Allegheny General Hospital after recovering from a methamphetamine overdose two days ago.

Mr. Krobot repeatedly lost his balance during field sobriety tests. He was arrested and taken to a police station, where police determined he was under the influence of a stimulant.

The officer in the police cruiser received minor injuries. He was treated and released from the hospital.