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Kennett Township Police Chief Benched After Hit-Run Accident

KENNETT TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) - The chief and lone police officer in Kennett Township (Chester County) is on paid sick leave after being involved in a hit-and-run accident last week.

The Pennsylvania State Police report involving Chief Albert McCarthy notes a minor fender bender in which he rear-ended another vehicle while on patrol.

But McCarthy left the scene, then returned a short time later -- responding to the 911 call made by the other driver.

Investigators say he "was suffering from a medical condition" and "lost focus."

Kennett Township supervisor chairman Allan Falcoff concurs.

"I don't know how else to describe it -- he lost focus," Falcoff tells KYW Newsradio. "He obviously wasn't aware of being in the accident."

No charges were filed, and everyone was waiting for the results of medical tests. If those tests indicate McCarthy can't drive anymore, Falcoff hopes to find some way to keep him on because of his apparent adeptness at keeping disputes between neighbors from getting out of hand.

Reported by David Madden, KYW Newsradio 1060

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