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Charges pending in S. Hill incident

Summit Hill police said the investigation is continuing into an incident in which three people two elementary school sisters and a man were struck by a car at a bus stop Thursday morning.

Chief of Police Joseph Fittos Jr. said charges are pending against the driver of the car, but won't be filed until the investigation is complete and he consults with members of the Carbon County District Attorney's office.He identified the driver as Maxine Royer, 53, of 44 W. Walter St., Summit Hill.An 8-year-old girl, Jessica, daughter of LeiLani Williams, was the most seriously injured and flown by MedEvac helicopter to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.Fittos said she was kept for observation and is reportedly in stable condition.Her sister, Jacquelynn, age 7, was also transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital where she was treated and released.The man said he would seek medical treatment on his own for bruises on his forearm.The incident happened at about 8 a.m. in front of the Summit Hill Post Office, near the intersection of Market Street and West Hazard Street.Fittos said he interviewed numerous people and is still piecing together the details, adding that as is common with a scene of commotion, there are conflicting statements."When she hit the kid, people started to panic," he said. "Some told her to back up. Then when she started backing up, some people perceived that she was trying to flee."At one point, a man apparently thought she was fleeing and jumped in the path of the vehicle, resulting in his injuries, according to police.The girl who was most seriously injured was dragged on Market Street by Royer's car, police said."I'm just relieved that the kids are okay," Fittos said, referring to the fact that apparently none have life-threatening injuries. "That was my main concern; that they're okay."

LARRY NEFF/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS The scene in Summit Hill Thursday after two children and a man were struck by a car.