A Lancaster city woman will serve at least four years in prison for being intoxicated when she caused a collision on Route 30 in West Hempfield Township that killed a mother and injured four other victims.

Renee S. Emerick, 25, pled guilty in an open plea to homicide by vehicle while DUI, four counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, and related charges in Lancaster County Court in June 2022.

Emerick was sentenced to 4 to 15 years in prison on Monday by Lancaster County Judge Dennis E. Reinaker.

“This is a tragedy for both families, but you had a choice to make Ms. Emerick and you made the wrong one,” Judge Reinaker said before ordering sentence. “There are tragic consequences for that.”

Emerick was driving a silver Chrysler 200 on Route 30 when she left her lane and crossed a grass median into oncoming westbound traffic on June 19, 2021. Emerick collided head-on at a high rate of speed with another vehicle with the Chrysler showing no signs of braking.

The crash killed a mother who was traveling with her husband and three children. Family members and one of the victims spoke at the sentencing hearing and were forgiving of Emerick, but also emphasized that she now has an opportunity to change her life.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher Miller prosecuted the case and asked for the judge to give a sentence that would help deter this type of behavior.

“It shows a lack of understanding and the ongoing danger of this type of conduct,” Miller said. “I beg your honor to give the Commonwealth and all people who live in the Commonwealth a bit of safety and deterrence to this type of behavior. This is the worst thing that could happen if someone decides to smoke (marijuana) and drive.”

West Hempfield Township Police Officer Ryan McKernan filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.