UPPER MACUNGIE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Berks County man was convicted this week on charges stemming from a fatal crash more than two years ago in Upper Macungie Township.
- A Berks County man was convicted of homicide by vehicle and related charges in a 2021 crash on Hamilton Boulevard in Upper Macungie Township
- Jonathan A. Richards of Shillington was found to have a blood-alcohol ratio of 0.24% at the time — three times the level at which state law says it is too drunk to drive
- Wadnor Jean Louis, 26, of York, York County, was killed in the crash
A Lehigh County jury convicted Jonathan A. Richards, 41, of Shillington, of eight charges, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and involuntary manslaughter, District Attorney Jim Martin said in a news release.
Richards also was found guilty on several other DUI-related charges, as well as careless and reckless driving, the release states.
Surveillance footage showed Richards was driving his Jeep in the wrong lanes of traffic on Hamilton Boulevard at Farmington Road at 4:41 a.m. Jan. 17, 2021, when he crashed “nearly head-on” into a car driven by Wadnor Jean Louis, 26, of York, York County, Martin said.
Louis was pronounced dead inside his vehicle, while Richards was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, the district attorney said.
Louis died from multiple blunt force injuries and his death was ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner.
Police said Richards’ blood-alcohol content was 0.24% at the time of the crash. That's three times the 0.08% that state law considers too drunk to drive.
The trial was conducted before Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks.
Richards is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 27.
