Driver pleads guilty to leaving scene of hit-and-run

Sept. 03--A 70-year-old Lewiston man who fled after striking a woman in a Main Street crosswalk Thanksgiving evening while heading to see the light show at Locomotive Park pleaded guilty Wednesday to leaving the accident scene.

William Danner apologized in 2nd District Court for leaving 39-year-old Mikerra Lane injured in a dark crosswalk on the 1500 block of Main Street in Lewiston after he struck the woman with his SUV around 4:40 p.m. Nov. 27, and driving away without notifying authorities.

Danner, who was released on $5,000 bond after the incident last year, pleaded guilty to one felony count of leaving the scene of an injury accident. A misdemeanor charge of driving without privileges, and two infractions of failing to purchase liability insurance and failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

"I'm guilty, your honor," Danner said at his change-of-plea hearing. "I haven't slept a night since. It's always on my mind, all the time."

Danner was arrested at his Lewiston Orchards mobile home on the 600 block of Burrell Avenue days after the accident. He was driving a 2002 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer east on Main Street when he struck Lane, who was walking south in the crosswalk. Lane suffered head injuries, a broken arm and broken pelvis, according to police.

At Wednesday's hearing Danner, who worked in the fertilizer and chemical business, briefly gave an account of what happened.

"I never saw the woman, but I did hit her," he said. He got out of the SUV to see what he struck and found Lane in the crosswalk. "I looked back at my wife trying to get out of the rig," he said. He helped her back inside the vehicle and drove away.

"I drove her home," Danner said. "I have no excuse. That's just what happened. I'm sorry this happened. I didn't mean to hurt this family."

Police found Danner's Blazer two days later. The vehicle was parked on the south side of Danner's residence, had a dented hood and a broken headlight, according to police. Further investigation found "blue fabric embedded in the front-facing edge of the tow hook," according to a police report.

Danner could be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine on the charge. Sentencing is scheduled at 10 a.m. Nov. 18 in Lewiston.

Bartholdt can be contacted at rbartholdt@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2275.

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