New Holland man sentenced after head on collision left 7 year old with serious injuries
LANCASTER, PA — A New Holland man who admitted driving drunk before traveling the wrong way and crashing head-on into another vehicle, seriously injuring two children, has been sentenced to state prison.
Douglas Leroy Lewis II, 35, of the 300 block of Warren Street, was sentenced by Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker to 1½ to 5 years in state prison, followed by four years of probation, after pleading guilty July 1.
Lewis pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, endangering the welfare of children and driving under the influence, along with four counts of recklessly endangering another person and seven summary traffic offenses.
According to prosecutors, the crash occurred on the evening of April 19, 2025, at the intersection of Lincoln Highway East and South Singer Avenue in Paradise Township.
Investigators said Lewis was driving under the influence when his vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle head-on.
A 7-year-old girl riding in the other vehicle suffered fractures to her thigh and eye socket in the collision. An 8-year-old passenger also sustained serious injuries.
Lewis’ 3-year-old son was riding in his vehicle at the time of the crash but was not injured.
The driver of the other vehicle told investigators she was unable to avoid Lewis’ vehicle as it approached head-on.
Assistant District Attorney Daniel Lingousky told the court the defendant’s actions were “very serious” and noted it was fortunate no one was killed in the crash.
Lewis’ attorney requested a reduced sentence to be served in county prison, arguing his blood alcohol concentration, while above the legal limit, was relatively low and describing the crash as a “lapse in judgment.”
Before sentencing, Lewis apologized to the victims and expressed remorse, telling the court he could not undo the harm caused by the crash.
According to court records, blood drawn about an hour after the collision showed alcohol in Lewis’ system. Prosecutors said Lewis admitted to consuming multiple alcoholic beverages before driving, and Pennsylvania State Police troopers recovered a small bottle of vodka from the center cup holder of his vehicle.
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Tyler Serafini investigated the crash and filed the charges.
Key Points
- A New Holland man was sentenced to 1½ to 5 years in state prison for a wrong-way DUI crash.
- A 7-year-old girl and an 8-year-old child suffered serious injuries in the head-on collision.
- Prosecutors said the defendant admitted drinking before driving, and troopers recovered a vodka bottle from his vehicle.
