Gordon woman, 36, charged in hit, run

Arrest made in 17-year-old boy's death

BY STEPHEN J. PYTAK
Staff Writer
spytak@pottsville.infi.net

GORDON -- A borough woman's boyfriend turned her in to police two days after a hit-and-run fatal accident killed 17-year-old Jason Adam Boyer.

As a result, Florence G. Wallace, 36, of 200 E. Biddle St., was charged Tuesday with the Aug. 3 crime and freed on bail.

David Tobias, whose address was not released, told police he was a passenger in Wallace's car when the incident occurred, according to an affidavit filed with District Justice Bernard J. Nahas, Frackville.

Wallace was driving her maroon four-door Ford Tempo southbound on Route 4007 in Butler Township when she struck and killed pedestrian Boyer, of 411 McKnight St., court records show.

Wallace failed to stop or render assistance, and Boyer was found laying along the west berm by a passing motorist, police said.

The accident, just north of Country Club Road, occurred between 1:15 and 1:45 a.m.

Wallace was charged with causing a fatal accident, a third-degree felony; careless driving; failing to immediately inform police of the accident; failing to render aid on scene; and giving false reports to police.

Bail was set at $20,000, and she posted a $2,000 cash bond to be released.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, before Nahas.

``Interviewing Wallace and examination of her vehicle produced the facts substantiating her arrest,'' said state police Cpl. Michael P. Carney.

On Aug. 6, a search warrant was obtained and Wallace was located.

However, Wallace at first denied any involvement and attempted to offer an alibi for the time of the accident, the affidavit states.

Eventually, she admitted striking Boyer and said when she turned around she saw him moving on the road, police said.

Trace evidence found on the scene was submitted to the state police lab at Bethlehem.

Wallace's vehicle was also seized, police said.

Boyer's family members are relieved to hear an arrest was made, but say nothing can ease their pain.

``It doesn't help much,'' said Boyer's father, Mark S., ``but what are you going to do?''

Boyer had left classes at North Schuylkill School District but planned to re-enter this school year, according to his mother, Louise.