Pa. woman, 79, gets probation in boy's death

YORK, Pa. (AP) — An elderly Pennsylvania woman won’t get jail time in the hit-and-run death of an 11-year-old boy from Baltimore last year.

Seventy-nine-year-old Fern Ness pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge in the Memorial Day weekend death of Derek Johnson II in York County. She was sentenced to two years' probation and community service.

Investigators say Johnson was thrown more than 60 feet after Ness hit him as he was riding his bicycle near Jacobus. Prosecutors say the boy slide into Ness’ path while trying to stop his bike at an intersection.

Ness told investigators she didn’t know she’d hit the boy, who was visiting family in Pennsylvania.

A defense attorney apologized to Johnson’s family in court on Ness’ behalf.