PENN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A 24-year-old woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly striking and killing a 16-year-old pedestrian while driving and using social media along a Penn Township roadway last year.
Mikayla Victoria Mustard, of Lower Paxton Township, is accused of hitting Curtis Groff on the night of May 2 along the 200 block of West Sun Hill Road. Groff had been operating a weed trimmer near the roadside and had set up multiple traffic cones to alert drivers, according to witness reports.
Emergency crews arrived at the scene shortly after 9:30 p.m. and found Groff dead along the side of the road. Evidence indicated he had been hit by a westbound vehicle. Mustard, who allegedly left the scene, was later brought back by her father while police were still present.
Investigators say Mustard continued sending and receiving messages on her phone after the collision. Messages reportedly included references to blood on her vehicle and concern about going to jail if someone had been hurt.
Mustard turned herself in on May 23 and appeared before Judge Joseph Stauffer for a preliminary arraignment. Her bail was set at $50,000 unsecured, and she was released.
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Mustard has been charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, accidents involving death or injury, recklessly endangering another person, and several summary traffic offenses. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Chris Miller.
Charges were formally filed by Officer Alex Good of the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department. Officials have not stated whether any plea negotiations are underway.
No additional passengers or witnesses in Mustard’s vehicle have been mentioned in court documents. Authorities have not said if toxicology results played any role in the charging decision.
Mustard remains free on bail as she awaits her next court appearance.
