SCRANTON -- Relatives and neighbors expressed relief at news of an arrest in a crash that left a mother of seven fighting for her life.
Police say Tiffany Timko, 25, of Hazleton was driving on Main Avenue when she struck Betty Sawkulich Wednesday night.
Sawkulich was crossing the street on her way to the store.
Friday night police seized Timko's car from her boyfriend's home in Clarks Summit.
News of the arrest came as a relief to the victim's brother-in-law who has been caring for her children.
"She is good-hearted. She will do anything for you," said Corey Pacewicz. "We are kind of shook up over this whole situation. Why did it have to happen to her?"
Pacewicz said Sawkulich has a significant head injury and her prognosis is uncertain.
Detectives say Timko did not have a valid driver's license because of a DUI conviction and that she told a co-worker that damage to her windshield was caused by a falling refrigerator.
She faces six criminal counts including one for not stopping after the crash.
"You have to stop. If someone is involved in an accident, you can't just continue on," Deputy District Attorney Robert Klein said.
Police say a number of tips helped them crack the case, including a man with surveillance cameras that recorded the suspect's car on Main Avenue.
Keli Shields lives near the scene of the crash and said she is still shaken up when she thinks about the victim.
"She is a mother of seven kids. I just had my first and I can't imagine what that would be like, so I am really happy that they caught her," Shields said.
