Grossweilers to be tried together in fatal Elkhart hit-and-run case

They’re facing vastly different charges from one another, but both Penelope and Leonard Grosswiler will be tried together in Elkhart County.

40-year-old Penelope Grosswiler is believed to have been behind the wheel when she hit 22-year-old Shawn Wolcott, 11-year-old Courtney Smith, and 8-month-old Dolly Smith the night of Aug. 26 on East Beardsley Ave. near Cassopolis St. She charged with three counts of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, a Level 5 felony, leaving the scene of an accident causing injury and obstruction of justice, Level 6 felonies, and misdemeanor leaving an accident with injury, while Leonard Grosswiler is charged with obstruction of justice.

She was given a March 19 trial date, with her husband Leonard getting an April 16 date. The Elkhart Truth reports Deputy Prosecutor Eric Ditton told their attorneys to pick a date that suits them best, as he intends on trying them together.

Penelope Grosswiler faces up to 21-1/2 years in prison and Leonard Grosswiler faces up to 2-1/2 years in prison if convicted on all counts. Both have pleaded not guilty.