Lancaster Woman Pleads No Contest to Fatal DUI Crash That Killed Son and Unborn Child

Jennifer JohnsonJennifer Johnson /Submitted Image

LANCASTER, PA — Jennifer Johnson, a 38-year-old woman from Lancaster City, pleaded no contest on Wednesday to 22 charges related to a fatal DUI crash that killed her 11-year-old son and unborn child. The incident occurred in February 2021 in Manheim Township.

Johnson faced multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault of an unborn child, homicide by vehicle while DUI, and endangering the welfare of children. She also pleaded no contest to six misdemeanors and seven summary offenses. Judge David Ashworth of Lancaster County will impose her sentence after a pre-sentence investigation.

On February 23, 2021, Johnson’s green Honda Accord collided head-on with a black Toyota Highlander near Lititz Pike and Keller Avenue. Dashcam footage showed her car fishtailing into oncoming traffic. Police detected alcohol on Johnson’s breath at the scene and found empty alcohol containers in her car. Her blood alcohol content was 0.262%, over three times the legal limit.

Her son, who suffered severe injuries, was transported to a Philadelphia hospital where he later died. Johnson, 16 weeks pregnant at the time, lost her unborn child a few days after the crash. The occupants of the Toyota Highlander also sustained serious injuries.

The investigation revealed Johnson was speeding significantly in a 25 MPH zone and neither she nor her son were wearing seatbelts. Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Blazier is prosecuting the case.

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