Police charge woman with motorcyclist’s Oct. death
State police at Belle Vernon have arrested a Bentleyville woman for her involvement in the Oct. 6, 2001 death of Charles Francis Mazutis of Fredericktown. Mazutis, 39, of Emery Road, died several hours after his motorcycle struck an oncoming vehicle driven by Joan Carol Hissom, 39, of Bentleyville Apartments.
The accident occurred at about 11 p.m. on Oct. 5 on Route 40 in West Pike Run Twp., 1.5 miles west of Beallsville Road.
According to a press release issued by Trooper Mason M. McMurray III, Hissom is facing charges of accidents involving death or injury, accidents involving attended vehicles, duty to give information, immediate notice of accident, driving without a license and false identification.
McMurray said Hisson initially gave a different name when she was interviewed.
He said she never stopped after the accident to assist Mazutis and did not have a driver’s license at the time of the crash. Initially, she gave the name of Joanne E. Hisson, McMurray said.
The accident occurred when Mazutis crossed into the opposite lane of Route 40 with his Harley Davidson Fatboy motorcycle, police said.
The motorcyle struck the left front fender of a 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Hissom, who was traveling in the opposite direction. After impact, Mazutis’ motorcycle continued for about 800 feet before he lost control, went over an embankment and struck a tree, police said.
At the time of Mazutis’ death, Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said road conditions were wet, with heavy blowing rain at times.
The accident was not reported until after 1 a.m. on Oct. 6 and Mazutis was pronounced dead at 2:25 a.m. of multiple blunt force trauma.
A warrant was issued for Hissom’s arrest on May 2 and was served on Tuesday.
She was arraigned before District Justice J. Albert Spence of Washington and released on $50,000 unsecured bond.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on June 20 before District Justice William P. Pelkey of California.