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Driver Held on $1 Million Bail as Three Boys Remain Hospitalized in Philly

By Paul Napoli

November 28, 2009

Dawn Denise Snell, 42, of the Philadelphia suburb of Lansdowne, is being held in the Delaware County Jail on $1 million cash bail after driving her car into three boys walking home from school in Upper Darby, PA.

Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood of the Upper Darby Police Department said Dawn Snell was speeding east in her Dodge Charger on Marshall Road about 12:10 p.m. Tuesday when she ran a red light, lost control of the car and swerved toward a group of five boys. She struck two boys, then hit a third as her car traveled along the sidewalk before ramming a parked car, the impact pushing it 15 feet, where Snell's car finally came to rest 500 feet from the first impact. The windshield smashed by the force of the boys' bodies' impact.

The victims, seventh-graders Jemel Brunswick, 13, Philmon Beyene, 12, and Tyler Lowery, 12, were waiting to cross the street on their way home after an early release from school for the Thanksgiving holiday when they were run down. Ambulances rushed all three boys to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in critical condition.

Brunswick and Beyene were in "extremely critical" condition, Chitwood said. Doctors performed surgery Tuesday night on Brunswick and Beyene to relieve pressure on their brains. Doctors transferred Brunswick to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania suffering multiple facial fractures, pelvic injuries and a serious wound to one of his lungs. Snell's car hit Brunswick so hard that he was knocked out of his shoes. Beyene remains in a medically induced coma and on a respirator, treated for a fractured skull, multiple pelvic fractures and a lacerated pancreas. He also had surgery to save his right leg, Chitwood said. Lowery was in stable condition with less severe injuries.

"What the long-term consequences are, I couldn't tell you. They're going to be in the hospital for a long time," Chitwood said. 'To knock someone out of their shoes, you have to be traveling at a pretty significant speed.'

Witnesses told police that Snell tried to flee the accident scene after hitting the boys. "Every one of them said there was no doubt she was trying to get away," Chitwood said.

Snell told police that she was rushing to get her daughter to SEPTA's 69th Street Terminal to catch a train to Norristown. Snell's daughter said she believes something was wrong with the car and her mother was not trying to flee, but Chitwood said there is nothing to indicate a malfunction of the car.

Officials charged Snell Wednesday with aggravated assault, simple assault and a host of motor-vehicle counts including reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Snell remains in the Delaware County Jail on $1 million cash bail while awaiting a preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 30.

"You could have two dead young men before the weekend is over," Chitwood said regarding the high bail.

If you or loved one has been injured or a loved one killed in pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident, Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one's wrongful death. Call 1-888-529-4669 today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Full post as published by New York City Personal Injury Lawyer on November 28, 2009 (boomark / email).