The Philadelphia police have charged a Temple University student in a hit and run impact that injured a pedestrian this past Sunday.
Nicholas Hasselback of Ephrata, Pa., was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. Further charges included aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. The charges were filed this Wednesday. The assault and endangerment charges are serious enough, and driving away simply compounds the seriousness of the crime.
The charges allege that Hasselback was driving in the 2200 block of Benjamin Franklin Parkway at about 2:30 a.m. on Sunday when his car struck fellow Temple University student Tony Foltz, 25. Foltz was hit in the right arm and leg and suffered a skull fracture, the Philadelphia Daily News reported. He was in critical condition Thursday at Hahnemann University Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said.
In Pennsylvania, a hit-and-run case carries a mandatory minimum sentence. Violators can expect to serve at minimum 90 days in prison and pay a $1,000 fine. These are regardless of any other provision of law. Three months is a long time for anyone, and particularly for a student at university. One thousand dollars is a substantial bit of money as well, especially considering it will come before any liability arrangements that may be made considering the victim’s injuries.
If Foltz dies, the minimums involved will, of course, increase. The term of imprisonment will be set at a minimum of one year, and the fine will increase to a minimum of $25,000.
It is important to stress that Hasselback turned himself in. This past Wednesday around 2:30 pm, Hasselback, his parents, and his attorney met with the police and he surrendered himself into custody at police headquarters.
