Man found guilty of hitting, seriously injuring woman in Bethlehem while DUI | Bethelehm Area

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A man was found guilty Monday of hitting and seriously injuring a woman in Bethlehem with his vehicle while he was intoxicated.

Leroy Mendez, of Bethlehem, was found guilty of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI, Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury, Insurance Fraud, DUI, and DUI-related offenses following a non-jury trial, according to a news release from the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office.

On July 19, 2025, at approximately 1:32 a.m., Bethlehem City Police, Bethlehem City Fire Department, and Bethlehem City EMS responded to the area of East 4th Street in Bethlehem for a report of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle, the DA’s office said.

Authorities said the vehicle then fled the scene.

The 24-year-old woman that was hit was was thrown into the air by the impact and landed on the street, where first responders administered immediate treatment for life-threatening injuries, according to the DA’s office.

The DA’s office said the woman was taken to the nearest hospital for further treatment. She had numerous serious injuries and will require extensive, lifelong medical care, according to the news release.

During the investigation, police obtained city surveillance footage from the surrounding area, which captured the vehicle hitting the victim and colliding with a parked vehicle, and fleeing the scene, the DA’s office said.

The DA’s office said the vehicle was determined to be registered to Mendez.

Later that morning, officers found the vehicle at Mendez’s residence and saw that it had visible damage, according to the news release.

According to the DA’s office, officers made contact with Mendez at his home and learned that he had filed an insurance claim earlier that morning, stating another vehicle had sideswiped his car.

While speaking to Mendez, officers saw signs of impairment and administered field sobriety tests, the DA’s office said.

The DA’s office said Mendez was then transported for a blood draw, which revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.126%, but was determined to be between 0.17% to 0.27% at the time of the incident.

Further surveillance footage obtained by police showed Mendez committing numerous traffic violations while driving aimlessly and in a reckless manner in the period leading up to the incident, according to the news release.

According to the DA’s office, the most serious charge of Aggravated Assault carries a maximum of 20 years in state prison.

Mendez is scheduled to be sentenced July 15.