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D’Andre Jennings, of the 100 block of Peters Creek Road, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, and recklessly endangering another person, the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office announced on Nov. 4. President Judge David Ashworth sentenced Jennings to 2 ½ to 6 years in state prison.
The incident happened near the intersection of Susquehannock Drive and Bethesda Church Road in Martic Township around 6:45 a.m. on Feb. 2, according to court documents. Jennings was in the back seat of his 38-year-old aunt’s vehicle when, without warning, he struck her in the back of the head with a knife. The stabbing caused his aunt to swerve into oncoming traffic before safely stopping the car.
Jennings took the knife from the driver’s side compartment earlier that morning, investigators explained. He later told police he had fallen asleep, experienced a panic attack, and “saw red” before blacking out and waking up with the knife in his hand, according to the prosecution.
A witness called 911 after seeing Jennings leave the vehicle with blood on his hands, police said. Jennings tossed the knife into a nearby wood line and attempted to flee but was arrested a short distance away by state troopers.
The victim managed to drive herself to a local hospital, where she was treated for a large laceration to the back of her head above her ear, authorities said. She told police she had been listening to music with Jennings at the time of the attack and did not know why he stabbed her.
Assistant District Attorney Janie Swinehart prosecuted the case, with Trooper Todd Wagner of the Pennsylvania State Police filing the charges.
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