LANCASTER, PA – Rodolfo Paradas, a 53-year-old resident of Lancaster, entered a guilty plea on charges related to a fatal pedestrian accident in 2021.
The plea was made before Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn on Tuesday afternoon. Paradas admitted to striking 66-year-old Dr. Steven Killough on October 29, 2021, in a crosswalk at N. Prince and W. Chestnut Streets.
The charges include accidents involving death or personal injury, accidents involving death while not licensed, and three summary charges.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:45 pm, when a white work van hit Dr. Killough, who was using the crosswalk. Paradas assisted the victim to the side of the road but departed the scene without notifying the police.
Dr. Killough succumbed to his injuries on November 12, 2021. Video evidence obtained by the Lancaster Safety Coalition led to the identification and arrest of Paradas, who was found to be driving without a valid license. He now faces a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison and a fine of $40,275. Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Blazier is prosecuting the case.