Police: Woman used heroin before killing pedestrian in New Florence

An Indiana County woman is accused of being impaired when she hit and killed a pedestrian in New Florence late Monday and fled the scene, according to court papers.

State police said Melissa Ann Anderson, 52, of East Wheatfield told them she used heroin just before the collision. Barry Lynn Cassidy, 61, of New Florence was hit by the Dodge Avenger troopers said Anderson was driving at 9:15 p.m. along 13th Street in front of the Dollar General store.

A man who lives a few miles from the store told police he was picked up by Anderson and a female passenger around 7:45 p.m. The group went to a nearby home and afterward, while the man was riding in the back seat, he heard a loud impact on the passenger side of the windshield, according to court papers.

Anderson stopped the car a short distance away but left and dropped the man off at his home.

Police found Anderson near her home, north of Seward, about 8 miles away from the crash scene. She told authorities that she and the two passengers used heroin before the crash and that she knew she hit someone, according to court papers.

The Dodge Avenger, which belonged to Anderson’s neighbor, was parked nearby with a smashed windshield and front-end damage. She told the neighbor to report the car missing after the collision, according to court papers.

Anderson is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, accident involving death while not licensed and related offenses. She was denied bail and is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison. An attorney was not listed in online court records. A preliminary hearing is set for May 26.

The Stuart Funeral Home in New Florence is handling arrangements for Cassidy.