A Lancaster man will serve at least four years in prison for being drunk and speeding when he caused a 2015 crash that killed a man.
Adgery Negron-Alvarado pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide while DUI and related counts regarding the Nov. 15, 2015, crash on Lancaster Pike (Route 272) that killed 79-year-old Richard D. Owen.
On Wednesday, Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker ordered Negron-Alvarado, 26, serve 4 to 10 years in prison.
Police determined Negron-Alvarado had a blood-alcohol level of .10 percent shortly after the crash, and was driving between 91 and 95 miles per hour at the time of impact with Owen’s Kia.
Sandra Thomas, Owen’s daughter, spoke to Negron-Alvarado of the “nightmare” caused by the crash.
“You killed my father,” Thomas said, standing by Negron-Alvarado. “You took all that, and you did it decisively. You killed somebody.”
Thomas urged Negron-Alvarado to change his lifestyle.
“Don’t make God regret saving your (life) and taking my father’s,” she told Negron-Alvarado.
Owen’s widow watched from the courtroom gallery.
Assistant District Attorney Christine L. Wilson said the crash was “preventable on all levels.”
Negron-Alvarado was driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash.
President Judge Reinaker said he found little reason to mitigate the sentence, saying Negron-Alvarado was aware of his alcohol problem for a long time and should have sought help before causing “the ultimate tragedy.”
Negron-Alvarado apologized to Owen’s widow and daughter.
“I still think about it every day,” he said. “I won’t let you down. I want to change my life.”
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper James Trunfio filed charges in the case.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright