Ephrata Police have charged a driver from Maryland with causing a vehicle accident involving serious injury.

On Tuesday evening, September 29, 2026, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a dark-colored, pickup truck traveling south struck an 83-year-old female pedestrian in the 100 block of S. Reading Rd.  The pedestrian was walking south on S. Reading Rd. when she was struck by the vehicle. After striking the pedestrian, the vehicle fled the scene.  The Lancaster County Crash Team responded and assisted Ephrata Police with evidence recovery at the scene.

On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at approximately 12:23 a.m., police received an online tip regarding the driver of the striking vehicle and his location.  Police responded to the location and observed the vehicle with matching damage and missing parts consistent with the evidence recovered from the accident scene.

Police determined that George Stutz, 64, of Mount Airy, MD was the driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrian and fled.

Stutz was charged with Accidents Involving Personal Injury.  He was transported to the Lancaster County Prison where he was arraigned by MDJ Landis and committed on $50,000 cash bail.  Stutz is presumed innocent.