New Hanover School Bus Driver Admits To Manslaughter In Pedestrian Death

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORRISTOWN, PA — Appearing solemn and tearful at times, a New Hanover woman admitted she acted in a reckless or negligent manner while driving a school bus and unintentionally struck and killed an elderly pedestrian in Lower Pottsgrove.

Donna M. Engler, 64, of the 600 block of Schultz Road, a 16-year veteran of driving school buses, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court on Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of involuntary manslaughter and a summary charge of careless driving resulting in an unintentional death in connection with the 7:08 a.m. Sept. 9, 2013, incident at Mervine and North Charlotte streets that claimed the life of pedestrian Shirley Wilhelm, 78, of Pottstown.

“Not a day goes by, or a moment goes by for that fact, that Mrs. Engler doesn’t feel remorse for her actions that day,” defense lawyer Timothy Woodward said on Engler’s behalf after the brief hearing. “She is devastated by the loss of life and she recognizes that this is an unspeakable tragedy that has caused pain and suffering to a number of people.”

Under state law, a person commits involuntary manslaughter if while performing a lawful act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner they cause the death of another person.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140129/new-hanover-school-bus-driver-admits-to-manslaughter-in-pedestrian-death

Authorities Tight-Lipped On Lower Pottsgrove Hit-And-Run Investigation

Location of Lower Pottsgrove Township in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORRISTOWN, PA – Montgomery County authorities remained tight-lipped Tuesday about their investigation into the death of an elderly woman who reportedly was struck by a bus a day earlier while walking in Lower Pottsgrove.

County First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele did not release any new details about the crash investigation, which is being handled jointly by county detectives and township police. County detectives normally take the lead role in all fatal crash investigations.

Authorities previously identified the victim as Shirley Wilhelm, 78, of Pottstown, who was struck about 7 a.m. Monday near the intersection of Mervine and North Charlotte streets.  Wilhelm, reportedly on her routine morning walk, died at the scene, according to authorities.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130910/NEWS01/130919918/authorities-tight-lipped-on-lower-pottsgrove-hit-and-run-investigation#full_story