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Philadelphia man charged in fatal hit-and-run of teen in Bucks County

James Howell, 48, of Philadelphia, was taken into custody on Thursday, according to the Lower Southampton Police Department.

James Howell, 48, of Philadelphia.
James Howell, 48, of Philadelphia.Read moreLower Southampton Township Police Department

A Philadelphia man has been charged in the hit-and-run death of a 19-year-old woman in Bucks County last month, police announced Friday.

James Howell, 48, was taken into custody at 52nd Street and Haverford Avenue on Thursday and sent to the Bucks County Correctional Facility with bail set at $250,000.

Jessica Kurtz, 19, was killed after she and William Vanarsdale, 18, were struck by a pickup truck as they crossed the 700 block of East Street Road in Trevose around 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 27, police said. Vanarsdale was injured.

Howell was charged with accidents involving death or personal injury, accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed, driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, and duty to give information and render aid, according to the Lower Southampton Police Department.

Kurtz and Vanarsdale were recent graduates of Bensalem High School, according to the Bucks County Courier Times.