A 53-year-old Pennsylvania man faces a raft of charges including a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in serious injury or death for allegedly striking a man as he was driving to his State College residence and then leaving him in the road to die. According to media reports, the man is married to the daughter of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno.
Man turns himself in
The fatal hit-and-run accident took place in Penn Township on Route 45 near Paradise Road on the evening of April 17, 2020. Police say that a 23-year-old Amish man was struck and killed as he rode a scooter by a motorist who then fled. After gathering evidence at the scene, accident investigators determined that the vehicle involved was a Honda Pilot SUV manufactured between 2012 and 2015. The man turned himself in after police released a description of the vehicle and asked the public for information.
Damage consistent with the crash
Police say the man told them that he thought he hit a deer and did not stop because he was worried about getting a flat tire. When they visited the man’s home, police say they found his SUV in the garage with damage consistent with the victim’s injuries. It had a damaged front end, smashed headlight and buckled hood. A search of the man’s computer revealed that he had visited several news and law enforcement websites to learn about the progress of the investigation.
Suing incarcerated individuals
Hit-and-run and drunk drivers who kill people in motor vehicle accidents are often sent to prison for years, but that does not mean their victims are unable to seek compensation for their injury, loss or damage. When the individuals who cause accidents are incarcerated or killed, experienced personal injury attorneys may pursue civil remedies by suing their estates or insurance companies.