LEWISBERRY, Pa. — A York County woman was driving under the influence of marijuana when she crashed her vehicle in Fairview Township in September, critically injuring a 5-year-old passenger, police claim in charging documents.
Meghan Nicole Wise, 32, of Manchester, is charged with a felony count of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, a felony count of aggravated assault by vehicle, a felony count of accidents involving death or injury while not licensed, a misdemeanor count of DUI (controlled substance/impaired ability), a misdemeanor count of DUI (controlled substance/schedule 1), a misdemeanor count of DUI (controlled substance/metabolite), and three summary traffic offenses in connection to the Sept. 22 crash.
The 5-year-old passenger suffered traumatic brain injuries that left her non-verbal for several weeks after the crash, along with a broken pelvis and facial lacerations, according to Fairview Township Police.
Wise suffered a concussion in the crash. Two other passengers sustained minor injuries, according to police.
An investigation of the crash determined Wise was driving east on Navoo Road at 2 a.m. She later told police she was driving home after picking up her fiance from work.
Wise failed to negotiate the turn as her vehicle approached a curve on the 500 block of Navoo Road. Her vehicle left the roadway, struck a small embankment, vaulted off a ledge, and struck the ground about 10 feet below, flipping the vehicle onto its passenger side.
Wise's fiance and another child managed to exit the vehicle through its sunroof, but Wise and the 5-year-old were still in the vehicle when police arrived.
The 5-year-old was transported to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center and later taken to Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center, where she was listed in critical condition.
While interviewing Wise, police noted her demeanor as "very lethargic," according to the complaint. She allegedly repeated herself several times and "did not seem to comprehend what exactly was occurring."
Wise could not describe the crash or how it happened, police said.
Wise allegedly told police she had consumed medical marijuana about five hours earlier. A drug recognition expert determined she was under the influence of marijuana to a degree that rendered her incapable of safe driving, police said.
A blood draw determined Wise had traces of marijuana in her system, the complaint stated.
Wise's driving record indicated her license was suspended at the time of the crash and that she had two prior convictions for driving while suspended.
She was arraigned on the charges on Monday and remanded to York County Prison after failing to post bail of $10,000, according to court records.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 30.
