Hit and run
ELYSBURG - Ralpho Township Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that occurred Wednesday along Market Street (Route 54).
Barbara Metrocavage, of Elysburg, told police that she was driving west at 1:20 p.m. when her vehicle was struck in its rear passenger side by a van exiting the shared driveway for M&T Bank and the Family Practice Center, just south of the Valley Avenue (Route 487) intersection.
The female driver of the cream-colored van fled the scene. The vehicle should likely have damage to its front bumper and may have a red-colored paint transfer.
Anyone with information about the accident should call police at 570-672-9892.
Thrown from car
FRACKVILLE - A Mahanoy Plane woman was airlifted to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, after being thrown from a sedan that crashed into a utility pole on Route 61 near Schuylkill Mall on Wednesday.
Julia Schneider, 20, was riding in the rear seat when the accident occurred. She suffered moderate injuries and was flown to the hospital by Life Flight helicopter, according to state police at Frackville. A hospital spokesperson said she was in serious condition Thursday afternoon.
William Wetzel, 61, of Mahanoy City, was driving south in the right lane at 8:10 a.m. when he lost control of a 2001 Buick Lesabre while rounding a curve and struck the pole, police said.
Both Wetzel and an infant who was a rear-seat passenger were taken by ambulance for evaluation at Schuylkill Medical Center-South, Pottsville.
Wetzel was wearing a seat belt and the infant was restrained in a child safety seat. Police did not indicate if Schneider was also wearing a seat belt.
Citations against Wetzel are pending, police said.
Assisting were Goodwill and Altamont fire companies and Frackville and Shenandoah ambulances.
DUI
MOUNT CARMEL - Joseph L. Aiello, 30, of 651 W. Fifth St., Mount Carmel, was charged with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, and driving a vehicle without registration following a traffic stop at Fifth and Maple streets, Mount Carmel at 2:49 a.m. Nov. 27.
According to court documents, Mount Carmel Borough Police Patrolman Shane Reamer observed Aiello drive away from a convenience store; the patrolman knows Aiello does not have a valid drivers license. When Reamer stopped the vehicle, he detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle.
Aiello allegedly failed two of the three field sobriety tests he was given and scored a positive breath test for alcohol. Chemical testing showed his blood alcohol level at the time was .255 percent.
The charges were filed with Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 22.
Driver not injured
PENN TOWNSHIP - An Ashland driver who was plowing snow Wednesday was not injured when he backed the pick up truck he was driving into another vehicle, according to state police at Selinsgrove.
Trooper Thomas Grove said Robert J. Huntsinger, 53, was operating a 2002 Chevrolet 2500 in a parking lot at the Selinsgrove State School in Snyder County at 9:20 a.m. when he backed up into a 2008 Hyundai Elantra that was parked and unattended.
The driver, who was wearing his seatbelt, was not charged, police said.
Condition update
DANVILLE - A 22-year-old West Hazleton man injured in an accident Saturday on Route 225 near the Zerbe Township-Little Mahanoy Township line remained in critical condition Thursday afternoon.
Otto R. Jacome lost control of a 2003 Ford F-250 he was driving north about 10 a.m., drove down an embankment, crashed into one tree and deflected off another, state police at Stonington reported.
A passing motorist removed Jacome from the truck, which burst into flames.