Leroy Mendez, 37, of Bethlehem, was found guilty following a non-jury trial on charges including aggravated assault, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, accidents involving death or personal injury, insurance fraud, and DUI-related offenses, according to the Northampton County District Attorney\u2019s Office. <\/p>\n
The charges stem from a crash on the unit block of East 4th Street around 1:32 a.m. on July 19, when 24-year-old Erykah Ramos was standing next to a legally parked vehicle and was struck by Mendez\u2019s red 2016 Mazda CX-3, authorities said. She was thrown into the air by the impact and suffered catastrophic injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, multiple broken bones, and a partial foot amputation. She remains in a coma and will require lifelong medical care, prosecutors detailed. <\/p>\n
The crash also damaged two other parked vehicles \u2014 one of which was occupied at the time. Surveillance video captured the Mazda striking Ramos, hitting another vehicle, and fleeing the scene. Investigators later recovered the damaged SUV in a garage at Mendez\u2019s home, where missing parts matched debris from the crash site and biological evidence was consistent with the victim, authorities said. <\/p>\n
Police determined Mendez had been drinking at local establishments to celebrate his birthday before getting behind the wheel. He showed signs of impairment, failed field sobriety tests, and had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.126%, which investigators said was likely significantly higher at the time of the crash. He later admitted to driving and being involved in the incident, and filed a false insurance claim in an attempt to cover it up, according to authorities. <\/p>\n
Additional surveillance footage showed Mendez driving recklessly and committing multiple traffic violations in the moments leading up to the crash, prosecutors said. <\/p>\n
Mendez was found guilty on all 12 counts following the trial before Judge Paula A. Roscioli. The most serious charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in state prison. <\/p>\n
Sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15.<\/p>\n