Hatboro Council President Involved In Accident With Pedestrian

HATBORO, PA — Borough Council President George Bollendorf — who recently announced he was giving up that role next year — faces a summary offense for an accident in which a pedestrian was involved several months ago.

Police Chief Mark Ruegg said the 54-year-old Bollendorf, who has served as council president for the past eight years, was involved in a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian that took place in September.

As a result of the crash investigation, a summary traffic citation was issued, Ruegg said.

"The traffic citation has not been disposed of in the courts yet, so I cannot comment on the particulars," the police chief said, adding that a Right To Know Request would have to be filed to obtain the accident report.

According to court records, Bollendorf is facing a Jan. 7 summary trial before District Justice Todd Stephens. Bollendorf was cited for Failure to Yield The Right Of Way to a Pedestrian. The summary trial was continued from Dec. 3.

On Sept. 9, a traffic citation was issued by the Hatboro Borough Police Department along with a summons. On Sept. 30, Bollendorf entered a not guilty plea.

Patch reached out to Bollendorf, Mayor Tim Schultz, Borough Manager Diane Hegele, and Council Vice President Nicole Reichner for comment.

"I had no prior information about anything with this," the mayor said on Wednesday.

Bollendorf told Patch that he could not comment in depth on the citation since the case is still pending.

"I was involved in a crash in Hatboro," Bollendorf said. "I fully cooperated with the police, and I was adamant that I receive no special treatment. I was issued a citation, and pleaded not guilty. I posted the collateral for the citation and have an upcoming court date."

Bollendorf said he will provide an update on the case's outcome. He also said that his vehicle was properly licensed and insured.

At the borough council's final meeting of the year last week, Bollendorf announced that he would no longer serve as council president, but remain on the council.

Borough officials said the reason was because of Bollendorf's job is taking more time, where he cannot commit time any longer to being president.

Bollendorf joined the Borough Council after being elected in 2018. He will begin his third term starting on Jan. 1.

Bollendorf was re-elected during the November general election, nearly two months before the accident happened.

The accident was never disclosed to the public before the election, and also not when Bollendorf's council president announcement came out.

In Pennsylvania, a driver hitting a pedestrian is often a summary offense (like failing to yield at a crosswalk, $50 fine, points), but can become serious misdemeanors or felonies if injury/death occurs, with hefty fines, jail time, and mandatory minimums for serious harm or fatalities.

Beyond criminal charges, it can trigger civil issues: drivers face insurance impacts, and victims, despite being partially at fault (under PA's 51 percent rule), can still get compensation. Negligence (distraction, speeding) determines fault, but drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.