Local News-Monday, Feb. 12th

A Schuylkill Haven man is dead following an accidental shooting in West Brunswick Township Sunday morning. State Police at Schuylkill Haven indicate that William Kistler of Cressona, Leon Wessner, of Schuylkill Haven, and a third man were traveling on Brick Hill Road, near Route 61, when Kistler accidentally discharged a pistol. The bullet hit Wessner. He was treated by local EMS personnel, then flown to Geisinger Medical Center, where he died from the gunshot wound. Troopers believe that the shooting was accidental, but the investigation is on-going.

A Hamburg man died in a one vehicle crash in northern Berks County late Saturday night. Hamburg troopers say that 20-year-old Troy Schell was southbound on Krick Lane, in Windsor Township, when he lost control and struck a flat bed trailer that was parked on private property near the roadway. The car traveled 400 yards, struck a cattle fence and ended up in a ditch. Schell was pronounced dead at the scene by the Berks County Coroner. The crash happened after 9 o’clock Saturday night.

A Frackville woman faces motor vehicle charges after a crash late last month involving an illegal immigrant. Sharon Dover allowed Juan Riscajche of Tamaqua to drive her vehicle on January 29th. That vehicle crashed into a van driven by an unknown man on Industrial Park Road in West Mahanoy Township, which was snow-covered. That van was owned by Rafael Mateo of Hazleton. The unknown man fled the scene and is still at large. Dover was charged with vehicle code violations. Riscajche was not licensed to operate a motor vehicle. The investigation continues.

A hearing was held Friday for a Tamaqua man charged with raping a 9-year-old girl. 32-year-old Michael Golden, told police he choked the girl while assaulting her, and was aroused by violence. Those statements were made during a polygraph test given by state police. Golden testified police did not inform him of his rights before administering the test, and allegedly ignored his requests for an attorney. Police deny those allegations. Golden’s public defender asked Judge D. Michael Stine to suppress statements Golden made to police admitting the crime. Stine gave both sides 20 days to submit written arguments before he rules. Golden initially denied the accusations. However, police say in the affidavit the girl was ''graphic'' in her description of what happened. Golden confessed after taking a polygraph test, saying he first denied the assault because he was ''remorseful.'' The assault happened between last Oct. 2 and 13, 2006.
Golden is charged with rape, aggravated indecent assault, statutory sexual assault, indecent assault, indecent exposure, simple assault and terroristic threats.

A Pine Grove man will be charged for hit and run and related offenses after an incident in Porter Township Saturday night. 19-year-old Michael Workman was driving his pickup truck in reverse on 17th Street in the township, when he hit the front of a parked car. Workman then fled the scene, with two passengers in tow. He was identified a short time later. Charges will be filed by Schuylkill Haven State Police.