Hit-and-run driver being sought
A hit-and-run driver is being sought in Schuylkill County. It was one of three crashes investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven on Monday, Sept. 27.
Troopers said about 4 p.m. Matthew J. McDowell Jr., 16, of Pottsville, was driving a 2007 Subaru Imprezza southbound and slowing down due to a traffic light turning red at SR183. His vehicle was struck in the rear by another vehicle. The other driver pulled to the side of the road momentarily and then fled the scene southbound. The hit-and-run vehicle is believed to be a Ford and driven by a female. McDowell was not injured.
Troopers investigated a crash about 5:29 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of Fox Road and Hetzels Church roads, in Washington Township. Troopers said Larry S. Donofrio, 42, of Schuylkill Haven, was driving a 2003 Dodge Dakota pickup truck south on Hetzels Church Road and turning left onto Fox Road to go east while a 17-year-old female from Pine Grove was approaching a stop sign while westbound on Fox Road in a 1995 Toyota Corolla. At the intersection the teen lost control and slid into the driver side of Donofrio's vehicle. Troopers said the road was wet at the time.
No one was injured in the crash. Troopers cited the teen for driving a vehicle at an (un) safe speed.
Troopers also investigated a crash about 6 p.m. on Monday along SR183 in Wayne Township. Troopers said Martin J. Donohue Jr., 52, of Schuylkill Haven, and Lorena K. Lazarchick, 43, also of Schuylkill Haven, were both southbound and ascending a hill and negotiating a left curve. Donohue attempted to pass Lazarchick and swerved to the left for unknown reasons, sideswiping Lazarchick's 2009 Honda CRV with his 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck.
After impact the Ram spun 270 degrees counter-clockwise and slid across the northbound lane. The rear of the Ram then fell into a ditch along the berm where it came to rest halfway on the road facing west. After impact the Honda came to rest on the shoulder of the northbound lane.
No one was injured and both vehicles had to be towed from the scene. Troopers said Donohue was cited for driving on roadways laned for traffic.
