Victim suffered fractured vertebra after impact spun his vehicle around
WEST EARL TOWNSHIP, PA – An Ephrata man who crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed head-on into another driver while under the influence of multiple drugs will spend four to 10 years in prison for a crash that left the victim with a fractured vertebra requiring surgery.
Cody Benjamin Weasenforth, 35, of the 1500 block of West Main Street in Ephrata, was sentenced by Judge Todd Brown after pleading guilty Aug. 6 to aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, three DUI counts and two summary traffic offenses.
The charges stemmed from a September 2024 collision in the 4300 block of Oregon Pike in West Earl Township.
The victim told police he was traveling south on Oregon Pike when Weasenforth, who was heading north, swerved into the southbound lane and struck his vehicle head-on.
The force of the collision caused the victim’s vehicle to spin completely around, according to the case information.
The victim suffered a fractured vertebra and underwent a surgical procedure to treat the injury.
Police said Weasenforth showed signs of impairment while speaking with officers after the crash.
A blood sample taken from Weasenforth approximately two hours after the collision tested positive for methamphetamine, THC compounds, methadone and alprazolam.
Weasenforth told police he had consumed marijuana and methadone in the hours leading up to the collision, according to the case information.
He also admitted consuming an unfamiliar substance he believed was ecstasy.
During a consensual search of Weasenforth’s vehicle for insurance information, police found a bottle of methadone HCL.
In addition to his four-to-10-year prison sentence, Weasenforth was ordered to pay more than $34,000 in restitution.
Assistant District Attorney Kyle Linardo prosecuted the case with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Emily Corcuera.
West Earl Township Police Officer Mitchell Rogers filed the charges.
The sentence closes a case that began with a vehicle crossing the center of Oregon Pike and ended with another driver undergoing surgery for a fractured vertebra.
Key Points
- Cody Benjamin Weasenforth, 35, was sentenced to four to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a head-on DUI crash.
- A blood test detected methamphetamine, THC compounds, methadone and alprazolam after the September 2024 collision.
- The victim suffered a fractured vertebra requiring surgery, and Weasenforth was ordered to pay more than $34,000 in restitution.
