Former Officer Arrested In Fatal Hit And Run
McKEESPORT (KDKA) -- A former Allegheny County police officer has been arrested as the alleged driver in a hit-and-run accident that claimed a woman's life early Wednesday morning in McKeesport.
Timothy Tatters, a retired Allegheny County policeman, is likely to face criminal charges in the fatal hit-and-run. The charges could come as early as Friday.
Lorraine Wilkes, 56, a resident of the Senior Care Plaza – which is located near the scene of the accident, died at a hospital about two-and-a-half hours later.
Police say they believe Tatters was behind the wheel of his Jeep, and struck the woman and then left the scene.
"What we determined through looking at the debris from the car left at the scene was the vehicle used in this was a Jeep Cherokee," said Lt. Andrew Schurman, of the Allegheny County Police.
According to the police affidavit, Tatters told investigators when they showed up at his White Oak home on Wednesday that he spent 11 hours at a local pub, The Country Corral.
He said he was there from 2 p.m. Tuesday until 1:30 Wednesday morning, and consumed three 16 ounce beers. His former daughter-in-law worked at the bar.
Authorities report that Tatters said he drove to his former daughter-in-law's home in Glassport, then he drove back through McKeesport and went to his house in White Oak.
The accident occurred on Lysle Boulevard in front of the Sunoco gas station.
Investigators said Tatters told them he thought he hit a dog initially. He got home, saw the damage to the Jeep, and then he believed he struck a deer.
The official police document says Tatters was adamant, saying that he never saw anything.
Tatters has been charged with Accidents Involving Death or Serious Injury which is a felony, and careless driving.
He was arraigned this afternoon and is now set to be released on unsecured bond.
RELATED LINKS:
Woman Killed In McKeesport Hit-And-Run Lived At Nearby Senior Center (1/16/13)
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