The man accused of critically injuring a Nassau County crossing guard in Merrick has pleaded not guilty.

Joshua Alvarado, 30, admitted that he took Xanax, Tramadol and Clonazepam, according to court documents, which did not specify when he may have taken them.

Alvarado's attorney says his client takes prescribed medication to help him sleep at night due to PTSD from what he said was a "stranger assault" years ago. He told the judge that his client had taken medication at 10 p.m. the night before the crash.

Alvarado was traveling east on Sunrise Highway around 8 a.m. Thursday, when he turned left on Merrick Avenue, drove on the curb and struck the 70-year-old crossing guard, documents say.

The injuries were severe and included head fractures, chest trauma and blood loss.

According to court records, there is video surveillance showing the crash.

The prosecutor said Alvarado had been headed to the Wantagh Inn to do work as an exterminator. Prior to the crash, the prosecutor said he was passed out at a red light.

Bail was set at $500,000 cash.