The hit-and-run insurance fraud investigation involving the Sewickley Fire Chief has been settled

Cochran Hose Company principal Shayne Quinn and a Coraopolis woman have pleaded guilty in connection with an Allegheny County Police insurance fraud investigation.

The charges stem from an incident on March 24 outside the Sewickley Fire Station.

Preliminary hearings were held May 3 in District Judge James J. Hanley Jr.’s courtroom.

According to the criminal complaint, station security video shows 27-year-old Monica Hinda crashing into a parked vehicle at a stop sign along Chestnut Street and then driving her car across the street toward the station around 11:33 p.m.

Quinn is seen on camera at the fire station a short time later, court documents say.

The complaint states that Quinn picked up what appeared to be a piece of Hinda’s car, put it in the car and drove away while Hinda and another person drove away in the fire chief’s truck.

Quinn was charged with tampering with physical evidence and hindering apprehension or prosecution, as well as a summary charge of providing false information.

A court clerk said the chief pleaded guilty to the summary offense after it was taken to traffic court and the two offenses were withdrawn. Quinn was ordered to pay approximately $546, including a $200 fine.

When contacted about the case earlier this month, Quinn compared the charge to a traffic ticket and said he would have to pay a fine and court costs. He said he was glad the case was closed and declined further comment.

He said there was no disciplinary action from the fire department as a result of the investigation.

Hinda was charged with insurance fraud, as well as traffic violations for failure to perform stop sign duties and accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles.

A court clerk said Hinda pleaded guilty to the summary violations after being taken to traffic court and the fraud charge was withdrawn. She was ordered to pay a $1,000 civil penalty and approximately $471 in court costs and fines.

Allegheny County Police Public Information Officer Jim Madalinsky said via email that the decision to withdraw the charges was made by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.’s office.

Messages left with prosecutors were not returned by press time.