Drunk Driver Pleads Guilty In Bucks Crash That Injured 4 Teens

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA — A man has plead guilty to a DUI-related car crash that serious injured four teenagers last year.

Shane Brolly entered a guilty plea on Thursday, Jan. 6 to driving under the influence of alcohol and subsequently hitting a car with four teenagers, causing serious injuries to them and his passanger in the crash that occurred on March 27, 2021. Records show Brolly had a blood-alcohol content of 0.21 percent, which is twice the legal limit to drive.

Brolly plead guilty before Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey L. Finley to the following charges: Five counts of Aggravated Assault, Five counts of Aggravated Assault by Vehicle while DUI, Five counts of Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, Accidents Involving Death or Injury While Not Licensed, Eight counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, DUI-General Impairment, DUI-Highest Rate of Alcohol, Driving at Unsafe Speeds, Careless Driving, and Disregarding Traffic Lanes.

According to Deputy District Attorney Robert D. James, who spoke in court during the case, Brolly had been drinking for several hours before the car crash, which occurred at 10:10 p.m. on that night in March. He had been denied service at a Philadelphia bar hours before the accident because he was heavily intoxicated, according to court documents.

Friends of Brolly asked him not to drive because of his condition, with many offering him a ride and a place to stay.

On the night of the accident, Brolly attempted to pass a car in a no-passing zone on the 300 block of Bridgetown Pike. In doing so, he struck a Mazda SUV, which contained four teenage girls. The Mazda rolled several times while Brolly's truck ended up going into the other lane, striking another car. Brolly was driving 70 MPH at the time of impact and did not brake.

The teenage girls suffered a multitude of injuries, including broken bones and fractures, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries that required surgery, and multiple lacerations, all of which they are still receiving treatments for. The passages of the other vehicle were treated at the scene. Brolly's passenger also received injuries as a result.

According to witnesses, Brolly began drinking in the early afternoon, steadily drinking beers throughout the day. He went to several drinking establishments before ultimately being denied at a Philadelphia bar for his intoxication. He left in the truck he was driving and caused the accident 2o minutes later.

Brolly, a non-US citizen, did not have a valid Pennsylvania driver's license at the time of the accident. The sentencing for this case will be at a later date.