Prosecutors say his BAC was .134% after deadly Route 283 wreck
LANCASTER, PA — A Danville man has admitted driving drunk at nearly 80 mph before slamming into a tractor-trailer on Route 283 in a 2024 crash that killed his 33-year-old passenger, after investigators say he initially claimed the woman who died had been driving.
Apar Shirishkumar Patel, 38, pleaded guilty July 31 before Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker in connection with the death of Karra Clevenger.
The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office announced an update in the case this week.
Patel pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, two DUI counts and four summary traffic offenses.
The deadly crash happened in September 2024 along Route 283 in East Hempfield Township.
Prosecutors said Patel was traveling nearly 80 mph when his vehicle drifted off the highway and struck a tractor-trailer stopped on the shoulder.
Clevenger was riding in the passenger seat.
A crash reconstruction determined Patel failed to recognize the tractor-trailer, left the roadway and made no attempt to stop before impact, according to prosecutors.
The collision caused what authorities described as a catastrophic failure of the passenger-side seat belt, ejecting Clevenger from the vehicle.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said Patel and Clevenger had been drinking in Lancaster before the crash. Patel told investigators he could not remember what happened after he began driving.
A blood sample collected less than two hours after the collision showed Patel had a blood alcohol concentration of .134%, prosecutors said.
Authorities said Patel initially told police that Clevenger had been driving.
After learning that she had died, Patel admitted he had been behind the wheel, according to prosecutors.
DNA analysis also confirmed Patel was driving when the crash occurred, the District Attorney’s Office said.
Reinaker will sentence Patel after a pre-sentence investigation is completed. A sentencing date was not provided.
Assistant District Attorney Kyle Linardo prosecuted the case with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Ande Gonzalez. East Hempfield Township Police Sgt. Joshua Sandman filed the charges.
Key Points
- Apar Shirishkumar Patel, 38, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the September 2024 DUI crash that killed passenger Karra Clevenger, 33.
- Prosecutors said Patel was traveling nearly 80 mph when he struck a tractor-trailer on the shoulder of Route 283, and his BAC was measured at .134%.
- Patel initially told police Clevenger was driving before later admitting he was behind the wheel, according to prosecutors. He will be sentenced after a pre-sentence investigation.
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