Officer charged with leaving scene of accident

A veteran Philadelphia police officer was arrested Wednesday on charges that she hit a car, left the scene, and filed a false claim with her insurance company, authorities said.

April Shaynick, 42, a 14-year veteran who was assigned to the First District in South Philadelphia, turned herself in Wednesday. Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey has suspended her for 30 days with intent to dismiss.

According to the District Attorney's Office, Shaynick ran a stop sign on Aug. 9 at Van Kirk Street and Summerdale Avenue in the Northeast. Shaynick's vehicle then hit a car that had two people inside and drove away without stopping, the statement said.

There were several witnesses to the accident, including a pizza delivery driver who reportedly took a picture of Shaynick's license plate.

The driver of the other car sustained knee injuries and was taken to a hospital, prosecutors said.

The next day, prosecutors said, Shaynick filed a claim with her insurance company, saying her car was hit while parked in front of her house. She also provided the company with a fraudulent police report that she had written, prosecutors said. Shaynick was eventually paid more than $4,000 by her insurer.