NORRISTOWN >> Jury selection began this morning in Montgomery County Court for the trial of a Douglass (Mont.) man accused of leaving the scene of a fatal pedestrian crash on Route 100 in Pottstown.
Adam J. Timbario, 31, of the first block of Hawthorne Avenue, faced 60 potential jurors as they gathered in Judge Risa Vetri Ferman’s courtroom where Timbario’s trial will play out over the next two days.
Timbario, who remains free on bail, faces charges of accidents involving death or personal injury, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, failure to give information and render aid and failure to notify police of an accident in connection with the 7:55 p.m. March 3, 2017, incident on Route 100 near Shoemaker Road that resulted in the death of 24-year-old Donald Purnell.
Assistant District Attorney Richard Bradbury Jr. and defense lawyer Francis Genovese began poring over juror questionnaires this morning prior to the selection process. The lawyers’ opening statements are expected later today.
If convicted of the felony charge of accidents involving death or personal injury - essentially leaving the scene – Timbario faces a possible mandatory sentence of three years in prison.
Purnell, according to authorities, was on his way to his job at Wendy’s when he crossed Route 100 on foot, just 42 feet south of Shoemaker Road, and south of a pedestrian crosswalk. Purnell crossed the northbound lanes of the highway as well as the painted median and entered the left southbound passing lane when he was struck by a southbound Ford pickup truck allegedly operated by Timbario, according to prosecutors.
Timbario left the scene without stopping or providing aid, detectives alleged. Witnesses to the crash told police the truck struck Purnell and did not slow down as it proceeded south on Route 100, according to court papers.
Following the initial crash, Purnell was struck again by a second vehicle, the driver of which had not observed him lying in the roadway. The second driver stopped his 2008 Hyundai vehicle immediately and remained on scene until police arrived. Police said the second driver cooperated with police during the investigation.
Upon arrival, Pottstown police found Purnell trapped under the front engine section of the Hyundai and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy determined Purnell died from multiple injuries sustained in the crash and a forensic pathologist maintained “the nature of the injuries received by Mr. Purnell from the first impact would have led to his death,” according to a criminal complaint filed by county Detective Robert Turner.
This is a developing story. Check back here for more details as they become available.
