Driver Charged After Hit-and-Run Incident Involving Child in Pennsylvania

<p>An individual identified as Yorgelis Alexandra Matos-Bravo, a 29-year-old Venezuelan national residing in Chicago, has been charged following an incident in Pennsylvania where she allegedly struck a preteen boy with her vehicle and fled the scene. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Fallowfield Avenue and Third Street in Charleroi, according to authorities.</p><p>The boy sustained serious injuries, including to his head and right arm, and was initially taken to Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital before being transferred to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. His injuries were reported as not life-threatening, as noted in court documents.</p><p>A juvenile witness recorded the vehicle's Indiana license plate number, which helped investigators identify the car through nearby surveillance footage. While police were searching for her, Matos-Bravo's brother arrived at the scene and communicated with officers using a translation app, indicating that she was returning. Matos-Bravo reportedly stopped at a nearby park, where she expressed distress over the incident.</p><p>Upon her return, Matos-Bravo allegedly admitted to striking the child but stated that she fled due to shock and nervousness. The vehicle was found to have handprints and a significant dent on its hood.</p><p>Matos-Bravo faces seven charges, including felony aggravated assault of a child under 13, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, careless driving, speeding, disorderly conduct, and leaving the scene of an accident. She was taken into custody at the Washington County jail after failing to post a $25,000 cash bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 3.</p><p>The Department of Homeland Security reported that Matos-Bravo entered the United States illegally through Texas in July 2022 and subsequently obtained a driver’s license from Illinois. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a detainer requesting that Washington County officials transfer her to federal custody if she is released.</p><p>Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin commented on the situation, stating, “This criminal illegal alien now faces seven charges after a hit-and-run that injured a young child in Pennsylvania.” He further criticized the policies that allowed her to obtain a driver’s license, attributing the incident to what he described as “reckless, America Last policies of sanctuary politicians.”</p><p>Illinois law permits illegal immigrants who meet certain identification and residency requirements and pass vision, written, and road tests to obtain driver’s licenses. In 2024, the state transitioned from its Temporary Visitor Driver’s License program to standard licenses for undocumented residents and other noncitizens without Social Security numbers.</p>