Man Gets Prison for Running Over South Whitehall Man in Bank Lot

A Coplay man was sentenced up to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to running over and injuring a South Whitehall man in the Embassy Bank parking lot in 2010.

Joseph R. Knauss, 28, pleaded guilty Friday to aggravated assault, according to court records.

In return for Knauss' negotiated plea, charges of attempted homicide, simple assault and reckless endangerment were withdrawn, according to online court records.

Knauss struck Richard Heydt with the car he was driving in the bank's parking lot at 4148 Tilghman St. on Dec. 14, 2010, and left the scene, according to police.

South Whitehall police said at the time that witnesses provided information that led to Knauss's arrest the next day.