A woman from Whitemarsh Township has been imprisoned for not stopping, helping, or calling 911 after hitting and killing a man while he was crossing the road.
Jennifer Ann Parker, 45, living on Butler Pike, has been given a prison sentence of 3½ to 10 years in connection with the pedestrian crash that killed Anthony Jonello, and for driving under the influence of marijuana on February 17, 2023.
Judge Risa Vetri Ferman told Parker that she failed to do the right thing by not stopping to help Jonello or calling 911 after hitting him and driving away.
Parker was given a sentence which included the three-year mandatory term for a hit-and-run involving death, with an additional six months added for her deceptive behavior after the incident.
Parker told police that her vehicle was damaged while driving behind a junk collection truck, but investigators found no evidence of junk on the roadway.
Investigators found no proof of junk on the road.
The jury didn't believe Parker's claim of a phantom truck and determined that she knew she had hit a person.
Judge Ferman stated that a sentence higher than the mandatory term was appropriate in this case.
Parker was found guilty of the charges during a three-day trial in January.
She also received a consecutive sentence of 72 hours to six months in prison for the DUI charge.
The case did not involve claims that Parker was impaired by marijuana at the time of the crash, only that she was driving with a controlled substance in her system, which is illegal.
Relatives of Jonello, deeply saddened, expressed their grief in court, describing him as a kind man who enjoyed gummy candy, grape soda, deep sea fishing, the beach, and working on his car.
Jill Caruso, Jonello’s sister, fought back tears as she showed photos of her brother and described him as smart, sentimental, and willing to help anyone.
Lily Jonello, his daughter, shared how much she misses her father and the important moments he will not be present for in her life.
Lily also expressed how much she wishes she could talk to her father one last time and how she will always wonder if he was afraid at the end.
Jonello’s mother, Lucille, wrote a letter that was read in court, expressing her ongoing anguish about her son’s final moments.
Lucille Jonello wrote, “Your actions caused our son’s death in a quick, terrible moment. You left him there by himself. That’s the image I can’t get out of my head.”
Prosecutor Gabriella Glenning argued for a sentence longer than the required three years.
Glenning stated that they sought a sentence that would reflect the defendant's efforts to deny her actions and the missed opportunities to call for help. She added that a strict sentence can discourage other drivers from failing to stop and provide aid after a crash.
Parker issued a brief apology.
Parker addressed Jonello’s relatives, saying, “I am deeply sorry. Not a single hour passes without me thinking about the pain and grief I caused your family.”
Defense lawyer Meredith Dominguez argued for a sentence no longer than the mandatory three years for Parker.
Dominguez defended Parker, stating, “Miss Parker is not a bad person. She would never intentionally harm another person. It’s something that will haunt her for the rest of her life.”
Dominguez requested one day for Parker to report to prison so she could spend a final night with her three teenage daughters. Glenning opposed the delay, arguing that “t