Willingboro man charged with killing brother with a car

WILLINGBORO Lee Person, 31, of Willingboro, died in March, five days after being struck by a car driven by his brother, Lyle, 33, following an argument at a relative's house. On Wednesday, authorities formally charged the elder brother with murder.

Lyle Person, also of Willingboro, has also been charged with death by auto, obstructing justice, and hindering apprehension after an investigation revealed that he intentionally ran over his brother on Beverly-Rancocas Road following their dispute, the Burlington County prosecutor and Willingboro police announced Wednesday.

Lee Person was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he died March 19. Following an autopsy, the county Medical Examiner's Office ruled Person's death a homicide due to multiple sustained injuries from being struck by a motor vehicle. Lyle Person was originally charged with assault by auto, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury, and other offenses. His bail has been raised to $350,000.

April N. Palmer, 32, of Mount Holly, is believed to have helped hide Lyle Person's BMW after the accident, authorities said. She has been charged with obstructing justice and hindering apprehension. Her bail was set at $50,000. The county Prosecutor's Office said it believes that the pair were dating at the time of the incident.

- Jerry Iannelli