Pennsylvania Cop Hits Two 4-Year-Olds in Crosswalk, Avoids Jail Despite Video Evidence

A case of unmindful driving was reported in Lock Haven in November 2025. The accused behind the wheel was an off-duty but uniformed Pennsylvania police officer who struck two minors in a crosswalk. He was reportedly on his phone.

While the entire incident was captured on a surveillance camera, the officer does no appear close to facing federal prison time. Despite the criminal charges he faces, the accused may receive a lesser punishment for his actions.

The 49-second video shows two four-year-olds walking in a crosswalk with their mother, Manda Haines. One child is in a stroller, and Haines is pushing it.

Moments later, Gunner Vuocolo, is seen driving towards the children. He strikes them, sending them into the air before they land on the street.

Miraculously the children survive and move to the side of the road. In distress and anger, Maines approaches Vuocolo’s car and slams the hood twice, prompting him to step out. Haines then hits Vuocolo, who appears calm and confused. The video ends with the cop trying to dial someone on his phone.

Following the incident, Vuocolo resigned from the Pennsylvania police department. Criminal charges were filed against the 23-year-old, which included reckless and careless driving, along with four counts of reckless endangerment. Vuocolo pleaded guilty to these charges. If convicted, it would result in prison sentence between three and five years.

However, he was placed in a pre-trial diversion program, which is usually meant for first-time offenders. With no prior criminal history, he was given probation. If he remains out of trouble for the next six months, he will not serve any prison.

The decision has sparked outrage, particularly for Haines, whose children narrowly survived the incident.

Through a Facebook post, the mother of two remarked that Vuocolo could only escape prison time because of his status and track record as a law enforcement officer.

She also expressed the haunting trauma of the incident that her kids continue to face. Haines said her children have developed trigger mechanisms to cope with the episode, which has since been ingrained in their memories.

An excerpt from her long note further read “The physical injuries were minor, some scrapes, bruises, dead baby teeth, fluid on her knee, and a concussion. Things could have turned out a lot worse than they did. It’s the psychological impact that is more damaging. The emotional trauma is the worst part of it. I can still hear it; the sound haunts me. The sound of the initial impact of you hitting her; that sound is almost worse than the actual sight of it happening. The sound of her screaming, ‘mommy, mama, it hurts, mama I’m scared, mama why did he hit us, ‘ and the sound of my own screams will forever be ingrained into my brain.”