BUFFALO TWP — The hunter who accidentally shot a woman walking in her driveway on Dec. 23 will face a reckless endangerment charge.

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said Wednesday the Pennsylvania Game Commission told his office about its plans to charge the man, who has not been identified by authorities.

"Clearly, he was just being careless out there," Goldinger said.

Reckless endangerment is a second-degree misdemeanor, carrying a maximum penalty of 2 years in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The hunter also faces game commission violations.

"His license would be revoked for a period of time," said Kevin Thompson, a regional supervisor for the game commission, about a possible penalty.

Hope Roenigk, 45, was outside her home on Ekastown Road when the bullet broke two bones in her left ankle. She is recuperating at home after metal rods were inserted in her leg at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Neither she nor her husband, Mike Roenigk, could be reached for comment.

Thompson said the hunter fired a .325-caliber Winchester short Magnum bullet while deer hunting.

"It's a big-game caliber," he said. "It's not out of the ordinary."

The portion of Butler County where the incident occurred is a special regulations area with an extended deer season.

The rifle and slug were confiscated and are being tested at a state police crime lab. Thompson said there is no timetable as to when the testing will be completed.

"I don't think there will be any charges filed until we get the evidence," he said.

"We take it very seriously," Thompson said. "We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law if we feel negligence is involved."

Township Supervisor John Haven, board chairman, said the Buffalo police turned the incident over to the game commission because it can pursue the matter further.

"Talking to (Lt.) Al Behanna (the officer-in-charge of Buffalo police), this is the way to go," Haven said.

He said township police could only file one charge, while the game commission can levy additional sanctions.

Haven stressed the accident should not have occurred.

"You should be able to walk down your driveway to your vehicle and not get shot," he said.