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Woman Sought In Pasco Hit-Run Turns Herself In

This family photo shows 16-year-old Michael Mauritzen at Bayfront Medical Center after he was struck on Oct. 21.

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2007

Previous Coverage: Teen Struck Twice | Video | Photos From The Hospital

LAND O' LAKES - A New Port Richey woman turned herself in at the Land O' Lakes jail this morning to face charges related to an incident Oct. 21 that sent a teenager to the hospital with numerous broken bones.

Karen Kucharczyk

Michael Mauritzen, 16, was walking on Thys Road at about 9 p.m. that Sunday when he was hit by a minivan, knocked to the ground and then run over by a Ford Taurus.

Neither driver stopped.

Mauritzen is still being treated for his injuries at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

Witnesses told Florida Highway Patrol troopers about the red Ford and gave them a partial Florida tag number which with the help of Pasco Sheriff's crime analysts led them to Karen Kucharczyk, 42, trooper Larry Coggins said.

Troopers went to her home at 6737 Albemarle Parkway and found the car matching witnesses' descriptions. Troopers processed the car and found Mauritzen's hair and blood stuck to the undercarriage, Coggins said.

"There was no evidence of concealment," he said about the vehicle.

Kucharcyk is being booked at the Land O' Lakes jail on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury.

Troopers are still looking for the minivan that first struck the teen. Witnesses said the minivan could be a Chrysler or a Dodge. Its right-side mirror was knocked off when it hit Mauritzen.

Anyone with information may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (1-800-873-8477).

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