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Emerick pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while DUI, four counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, and related charges in Lancaster County Court in June 2022. She was sentenced to 4 to 15 years in prison by Lancaster County Judge Dennis E. Reinaker on Monday, Nov. 21.
“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 the 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, colliding head-on at a high rate of speed with another vehicle with the Chrysler showing no signs of breaking.
The crash killed LaToia Elizabeth Williams, 41, of York, who was traveling with her husband and three children, who were also hurt in the crash, as Daily Voice previously reported.
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, who prosecuted the case, 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.”
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