The defendant awaits a future sentencing date, wherein the victims' survivors are expected to testify
A Towamencin man admitted to two counts of felony vehicular homicide Tuesday in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, in connection to a June 2024 crash on Bethlehem Pike that took the lives of an elderly Hatfield Township couple.
Michael Patrick Lennon, 22, of the unit block of Ridgewood Way, also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of marijuana in connection with the crash that killed Jaime Burgos, 86, and Eva Burgos, 79.
Judge Steven T. O’Neill deferred sentencing until a later date so that court officials can complete a background investigation report about Lennon, who will undergo drug and alcohol evaluations, according to The Mercury.
Additional charges of felony homicide by vehicle while DUI were dismissed against Lennon, as were two misdemeanor DUI charges and recklessly endangering another person, per court records.
Lennon is free on $250,000 unsecured bail ahead of an as-yet-to-be-scheduled sentencing, according to court records. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 7 to 14 years in state prison, however, state sentencing guidelines can allow for a lesser sentence in county jail or home confinement with monitoring.
According to The Mercury, the victims' survivors and family are expected to testify at the sentencing hearing. Per the report, those survivors were in the courtroom Tuesday, supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving Pennsylvania.
Lennon, too, was supported by family and friends at the plea negotiation.
Assistant District Attorney Samantha L.R. Cauffman is handling the case. Defense lawyer Sean E. Cullen represented Lennon during the court proceedings.
A vehicular homicide conviction in Pennsylvania carries a prison sentence of up to seven years and fines as high as $15,000 per offense.
Authorities allege Lennon, a Pennsylvania Department of Health medical marijuana cardholder, had traces of marijuana in his system when he was speeding in a light blue 2011 Ford Escape on June 8, 2024 at 4:59 p.m. southbound on Route 309.
Police allege he lost control in the southbound right-turn-only lane of Route 309 and collided with the driver's side of a white 2021 Toyota Camry at Bergey Road in Hatfield Township.
Four people were sent to Grand View Hospital after the crash for treatment of injuries. Authorities said the rear driver side door had the heaviest intrusion from the Ford.
Jamie Burgos had to be rescued from the Toyota. Emergency crews were on scene for four hours. The deceased were both rear passengers in the Toyota, police said.
The Montgomery County Coroner's report stated Eva Burgos, died of accidental blunt impact injuries on June 25, 2024, and Jaime Burgos, 87, followed two days later.
Lennon is represented by defense attorney Sean Cullen, of Hamburg, Rubin, Maxwell, Mullin and Lupin, P.C., in Hatfield Township.
