Driver Hits PA Volunteer Firefighter Directing Traffic

MOUNT CARBON, PA— A Pottsville man is free on bail after the vehicle he was driving struck a volunteer firefighter directing traffic Wednesday afternoon.

Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said the incident happened around 5:30 p.m. in the area of the Mount Carbon Arch.

The chief said emergency personnel and vehicles were blocking southbound traffic on South Centre Street because of safety concerns because of flooding under the arch.

Wojciechowsky said Thomas Hollywood, 63, ignored instructions of emergency personnel and drove around the emergency vehicles.

As Hollywood drove around the emergency vehicles, he struck a 54-year-old man who was acting in the performance of his duties as a volunteer firefighter, the chief said.

Hollywood immediately fled the area, and Wojciechowsky said the firefighter suffered pain and was treated at the scene by medics from Schuylkill EMS.

As a result, Patrolman Joel Methven prepared a criminal complaint charging Hollywood with felony aggravated assault of a firefighter or emergency personnel, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment, obedience to traffic control devices warning if hazardous conditions and careless driving.

An arrest warrant was requested for Hollywood from Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

Wojciechowsky said Hollywood was arraigned by Reiley on Thursday and released on $25,000 unsecured bail pending a preliminary hearing.

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