Brandon Shearer, 32, from Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, is facing charges for a deadly hit-and-run incident that occurred near the Lancaster Tanger Outlets on August 29, 2024. Shearer is accused of hitting 72-year-old John Zimmerman with his vehicle on Lincoln Highway East in East Lampeter Township and fleeing the scene. According to police, Zimmerman was "clearly seen in the headlights" before being struck.
The incident took place around 4 a.m., and Zimmerman was found near the Cartoon Network Hotel, across from the outlets. Witnesses reported that after Shearer hit Zimmerman, a second vehicle also ran over him without stopping. Investigators found parts from a Dodge truck at the scene and tire marks indicating the path of the striking vehicle. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses captured Shearer's vehicle fleeing the scene.
Days after the incident, police located a truck matching the description, with visible damage and missing parts. When stopped, Shearer claimed he thought he had hit a deer. Police found a fabric imprint on the truck consistent with a pedestrian collision. Shearer admitted to washing blood off the truck, still insisting it was from a deer, and had taped a mirror over the broken driver-side rearview mirror. Further investigation revealed blood on the vehicle, which DNA testing confirmed belonged to Zimmerman.
At the time of the crash, Shearer was driving at 52 mph in a 40 mph zone, with speeds later reaching 66 mph, as shown by GPS data. Shearer faces multiple charges, including a felony for accident involving death, tampering with evidence, and failing to stop and render aid. He is currently out on unsecured bail set at $15,000, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 19.