911 tape played in Pa. wife’s hit-and-run death

911 tape played in Pa. wife’s hit-and-run death

UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania man accused of fatally running down his wife with his car told an emergency dispatcher his spouse had jumped out of the car and punched him during an argument that preceded her death.

Police say Ronald Higinbotham told investigators his wife’s death was an accident and he didn’t stop to help her because he was afraid.

WTAE-TV reports the 911 tape played during Higinbotham’s trial Wednesday recorded him saying he thought he clipped his wife with a tire of his car on Route 40 in June 2009. Investigators have said hair and blood belonging to Carmen Higinbotham was found on the underside of the car.

The WTAE report says the Brownsville man also told the dispatcher his marriage was in trouble and his wife had cheated on him.