Cops: Penn Township woman charged in hit and run also accused of slugging victim

Dec. 10--A Penn Township woman allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident is accused of punching and threatening to shoot the other driver, who followed her in a failed attempt to exchange insurance information, according to police.

Carla L. Smith, 57, was charged Monday by township police with simple assault, harassment, failing to stop and render aid, failing to fulfill laws to exchange information, disorderly conduct and driving at an unsafe speed.

Police said in court documents they were able to track Smith through the license plate of her blue 2011 Chevrolet Cruze that was photographed during the confrontation, according to court documents.

Officer James Kowalszuk reported that a female driversaid her vehicle was hit in the rear by Smith's car at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Route 130 at 11:20 p.m. Nov. 26, but the Smith fled south on Sandy Hill Road after the crash.

The female driver reported she followed Smith about one mile "to speak with the other driver and exchange insurance information" when Smith drove into a vacant parking lot and got out of her car, Kowalszuk said.

When the woman exited her car and requested the insurance information, Kowalszuk reported in court documents "(Smith) became belligerent and stated she was going to leave to get the police. The victim told (Smith) to stop ... at which time Smith struck the victim in the face with a closed fist."

"Smith then reached for her purse stating she had a gun and was a black woman in a white neighborhood. (Smith) then fled the scene again without exchanging insurance or contact information," police said.

Kowalszuk said the woman had "fresh blood, abrasions and redness" on her face when he took the report.

Smith's vehicle was found parked in her driveway on Damian Court, and appeared to have front end damage, Kowalszuk said. When police later reached Smith by telephone, she "admitted to the vehicle collision and assaulting the victim," Kowalszuk wrote in court documents.

Smith could not be reached for comment. An attorney was not listed in court documents.

District Judge Helen Kistler's office mailed the police complaint to Smith.

Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at 724-850-2860, [email protected] or via Twitter .

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