Police Blotter

RYAN TWP. – A Kingston woman was killed Tuesday morning when her Honda Civic hit a tractor-trailer parked along the west shoulder of Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County.

Laura Benussi, 39, of Rutter Avenue in Kingston, was southbound on I-81. For an unknown reason, the vehicle rear-ended the 2006 International 9200. Benussi’s car then spun clockwise through both southbound lanes. She was not wearing her seat belt and was ejected from her vehicle, coming to rest on the median, police said.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mark Chapman, 34, of Hamilton, Ontario, was properly employing hazard lights at the time of the incident.

WILKES-BARRE – Police reported the following incidents:

• A hit-and-run occurred on Monday at 9 p.m. on East Thomas Street and Finn Street. An unknown driver and vehicle was traveling east and struck a 1985 Chevrolet parked in front of 204 East Thomas St. The hit-and-run driver then fled the scene, leaving behind the gray bumper of the car and red paint chips.

• A crash occurred on North Washington Street and East North Street on Tuesday at 6:45 a.m. when a vehicle operated by Lawrence Grochowski, 28 of Freeman Street in Wilkes-Barre, traveled the wrong way down North Washington Street and struck a vehicle operated by John Price of Wilkes-Barre. No injuries were reported. Grochowski was arrested on evidence of drunken driving.

• Christopher Evanitus, 23, of Hunlock Creek was arrested on Madison Street and East Elm Street on evidence of drunken driving on Tuesday at 1:59 a.m.

• Kimberly Matosky, 40, of North Empire Street, reported Monday at 9:36 p.m. that Anthony Linford, 45, of Mayock Street punched her in the face. Linford was arrested for harassment.

• Anthony George, of Anthracite Street, reported Tuesday at 6:25 a.m. that someone removed six political signs from the 300 and 400 blocks of Blackman Street.

• Dorothy Fazio, of George Avenue, reported on Tuesday at 7:45 a.m. that someone smashed a window of her Mazda 626.

• Leslie Day, Burt Street, reported on Tuesday at 12:36 p.m. that someone known to her placed a series of harassing calls to her cell phone.

• Brandi Edwards, of South Main Street, reported on Tuesday at 10:50 a.m. that someone used her Visa check card without her permission at 551 S. Main St.

• Robert White, 46, of North Main Street, was cited with public drunkenness at 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

• Darren Kelley, 36, of South Hancock Street was cited Monday at 11:38 p.m. with public drunkenness.

• James Rhinehammer reported Monday at 3:34 p.m. that someone damaged his vehicle while it was parked on South Main Street.

• A Rite Aid employee reported Monday at 5:15 p.m. that someone stole property from the store without paying.

• Zack Halbing reported Monday at 3:51 p.m. that someone stole property from his vehicle after breaking a window on South Pennsylvania Avenue.

• Joseph Brisling reported someone stole a bicycle from his property on South Franklin Street.