Crime & Safety

Man Sentenced In Fatal Street Road Hit-And-Run

The Lower Southampton man was found guilty of killing a 14-year-old boy in a hit-and-run in Bensalem last year.

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —A Lower Southampton man who negotiated a plea deal in admitting to killing a 14-year-old boy crossing Street Road in Bensalem in July 2023 was sentenced on Monday, authorities said.

James Shulski, 36, will spend 2 1/2 to 5 years in prison and six years probation, which will be served concurrent to his incarceration, said Manuel Gamiz, the spokesman for the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

Shulski was sentenced on Monday by Bucks County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Finley.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Shulski was arrested in late January following a six-month investigation.

Last July, Bensalem Police responded to a struck pedestrian on Street Road near the Route 1 overpass.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Upon arrival, they found a 14-year-old boy in the center travel lane of the roadway with severe injuries who was unresponsive.

Life-saving measures were performed, but the boy died from the injuries he sustained, police said.
Police found that the striking vehicle stopped briefly; the driver got out but returned to his car and fled.

Investigators found surveillance video showing a gray Honda Accord traveling westbound on Street Road just before the crash.

After striking the child, the vehicle fled the scene westbound into Lower Southampton Township, police said.

The vehicle was then tracked backward utilizing surveillance cameras. Before the crash, the registration of the striking vehicle was captured by a license plate reader.

Investigators went to the registered address of the vehicle owner and found a gray Honda Accord parked at the residence. The Honda had damage consistent with striking a pedestrian.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.