North Canton Teen Faces Charges After Weekend Hit-Skip Crash

A North Canton teen is charged with leaving the scene of an accident after turning himself in to Lake Township Police this week.

Police say James W. Knappenberger, 19, struck Cynthia Hernandez, 23, as she ran across the street at Mt. Pleasant Street and Ladonna Circle outside Uniontown about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Hernandez was taken to Aultman Hospital with cuts and broken bones.

Knappenberger left the scene and turned himself in at the Lake Township Police Department Monday. He was accompanied by his attorney, Gene O'Byrne.

"He stated that he didn't realize how serious the situation was the night that it happened, and then when he saw the picture of her and how it was, he obviously realized the seriousness of the incident," Sgt. Mike Batchik told Fox 8 News.

Fox 8 News also reported that Hernandez likely caused the accident, and if Knappenberger had stayed at the scene after the accident, he probably wouldn't have been charged with a crime. Knappenberger told police he fled because his fiance is an illegal immigrant, and he was afraid she would be deported.

After turning himself in Wednesday, was arrested and booked into the Stark County Jail on a $2,500 unsecured bond, according to court documents. He was released on his own recognizance, jail officials said this week.

Knappenberger pleaded not guilty at his arraignment hearing Wednesday and is slated for a pre-trial hearing Tuesday.

He faces one count of leaving the scene of an accident, a fifth-degree felony, and if found guilty could face up to a year in prison.