MORGANTOWN, Pa. — A Maryland man who recently pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other charges related to a crash that killed a Lancaster County woman and seriously injured her 5-year-old child last year will serve up to 32 years in prison, the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office announced this week.
Christopher Pineda-Gasca, 21, of North East, Maryland, was sentenced to 16 to 32 years in prison at a hearing before Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker on Oct. 27, the DA's Office said.
Pineda-Gasca pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, homicide by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault, fleeing or eluding police, DUI - general impairment and recklessly endangering another person.
The charges stemmed from an April 4, 2022 crash that killed 32-year-old Alicia Whisler in Caernarvon Township, prosecutors said.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Miller prosecuted the case and laid out the following facts during the guilty plea and sentencing hearing:
On April 4, 2022, Pennsylvania State Police troopers were in pursuit of Pineda-Gasca, who was operating a silver Infiniti vehicle with a stolen license plate. Pineda-Gasca attempted to elude officers at a high rate of speed, passing multiple cars illegally in the left lane.
Mobile Video Recording footage from the pursuing trooper showed police pulling Pineda-Gasca over in Chester County before the defendant fled at speeds upward of 85 miles per hour into Lancaster County, weaved in and out of traffic, and disregarded all traffic, stop and speed limit signs.
Pineda-Gasca then attempted to illegally pass two vehicles at a speed in excess of 100 mph in the 2700 block of Main St., Caernarvon Township, and crashed into Whisler's vehicle, which was legally turning left into the parking lot at Conestoga Christian School.
The impact to the vehicle caused the victim’s vehicle to roll over and impact a utility pole, land on its roof and nearly split in two.
In subsequent interviews with police, Pineda-Gasca admitted he fled the traffic stop because he was in fear of being arrested for DUI after smoking marijuana earlier in the day.
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Jason Sperazza filed charges.
