LANCASTER, Pa. – A police K9 played a key role in tracking down the female driver of a car that ran down several pedestrians outside the Chameleon Club early Friday morning.
Kenya Simms, 25 was arraigned early this afternoon. She is charged with Aggravated Assault and nine counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
City police were called to the area of the Chameleon Club, 223 N. Water Street at about 2:15 a.m. for a large fight in progress.
When police arrived on the scene and they found no active fight, but were told that after a large disturbance outside of the nightclub, a female driver attempted to run over numerous pedestrians with a vehicle. The vehicle also left the street and struck scaffolding along the sidewalk near 227 N. Water Street.
The vehicle then struck several pedestrians and nearly struck several more. No serious injuries were reported. Officers were able to follow a fluid trail from the suspect vehicle, a grey 2002 Chevy Impala, which was located in the 100 block of Howard Avenue. The suspect, later identified as Simms of Lancaster Township woman, was located with the assistance of LCPD K9 Zoltan and his handler Officer Jay Hatfield.
Zoltan, after sniffing the suspect vehicle, tracked Simms to a nearby residence in the same block. She was positively identified by witnesses as the driver of the car that struck the scaffolding and pedestrians on Water Street. The Lancaster City Fire Bureau responded to N. Water Street and checked the scaffolding and determined that it was not in danger of collapse, however the area was taped off.
Detectives and patrol officers are continuing the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call Lancaster City Police at (717) 735-3300 or Lancaster City-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913. You can also clik the Submit a Tip button on the Lancaster City Police website, or Text a Tip to Crime Stoppers by texting LANCS plus your message to 847411. Tipsters may remain anonymous and do not have to give their names.
