Tyler Anthony Stewart

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A Lancaster city man who drove drunk with a suspended license, slammed into a pedestrian, then crashed moments later, has pleaded guilty to felony charges, prosecutors announced on Friday, Dec. 5.

Tyler Anthony Stewart, 31, of the 1300 block of Calvert Lane, entered his plea before Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker on Friday, Nov. 17, admitting to three felonies — Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI, Accidents Involving Death or Injury While Not Licensed, and Aggravated Assault by Vehicle — along with six related misdemeanor and summary offenses.

Stewart will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.

'I Think I May Have Hit A Pedestrian'

The charges stem from a violent crash on the 1500 block of Oregon Pike in Manheim Township just before 11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. Police say Stewart was speeding without headlights when he struck a pedestrian, crushing the victim’s body and windshield, before crashing into a pole at a closed business across Lititz Pike.

Manheim Township officers first encountered the victim lying in the middle of the road with severe injuries and road rash. As they provided aid, they saw Stewart crash nearby. His car showed damage consistent with hitting a human body, police said.

Officers broke the car window to extract Stewart. While receiving treatment, he reportedly told police, “I think I may have hit a pedestrian.”

BAC 5X Legal Limit, Victim Intubated For Months

Stewart was taken to Lancaster General Hospital. A blood test revealed his BAC was 0.437% — more than five times the legal limit of 0.08% in Pennsylvania.

Surveillance footage from Jack Williams Tire & Auto showed Stewart’s Ford Focus traveling without headlights at approximately 70 mph — twice the speed limit — moments before the crash. The pedestrian was seen walking in one frame and gone in the next, prosecutors say.

The victim suffered a traumatic brain injury and numerous broken bones, including to the pelvis and spine, and had to be intubated for several months.

Twelve days after the crash, Stewart admitted to drinking a pint of vodka earlier that evening and said he was running late to pick up his girlfriend from work. His license was also suspended at the time of the crash, police confirmed.

Charges Stewart Pleaded Guilty To Include:

  • Felony Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI.

  • Felony Aggravated Assault by Vehicle.
  • Felony Accidents Involving Death or Injury While Not Licensed.
  • Misdemeanor DUI – Highest Rate of Alcohol.
  • Misdemeanor DUI – General Impairment.
  • Summary Reckless Driving.
  • Summary Careless Driving.
  • Summary Driving Under Suspension.
  • Summary Periods for Requiring Lighted Lamps.

Assistant District Attorney Kyle Linardo prosecuted the case. Manheim Township Police Officer Adam Lawson filed the charges.