Duryea woman struck by car, killed

JENKINS TWP. – A Duryea woman died from injuries she suffered after being hit by a car while crossing Main Street in the Inkerman section of the township on Friday afternoon.

Mary Catherine Petroziello, 65, suffered multiple internal injuries and died at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township several hours after being hit by a 2004 Toyota operated by Joan Heck, 78, of Jenkins Township.

Heck was northbound around 2:10 p.m. and was not speeding, police said.

Petroziello had an appointment Shirley Berti's Hair Designs, which is across the street from Spadi Park.

According to a witness, the victim was thrown through the air 40 to 50 feet, landed on the hood of Heck's car as it drove under her and then fell onto the road when the car stopped.

The witness said the victim may have been looking down at her feet as she walked through snow and stepped onto the roadway in the path of Heck's car which was traveling North toward Pittston on Main Street.

Jenkins Township officer John Maciolek confirmed that, saying the parking lot at Spadi Park was snowy and when Petroziello walked onto the dry pavement, she was kicking snow off her shoes.

An investigation is continuing, but Maciolek said charges will not likely be filed against Heck.

Petroziello was taken by ambulance to Geisinger. She underwent several hours of surgery, but succumbed to the injuries.