LANCASTER, PA — A man from North East, Maryland recently received a prison sentence of 16 to 32 years after pleading guilty to charges arising from a fatal crash in April 2022. The incident resulted in the death of 32-year-old Alicia Whisler and serious injuries to her 5-year-old child.
Christopher Pineda-Gasca, 21, of the 200 block of Wheatley Street, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, homicide by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, DUI – general impairment, and recklessly endangering another person. The sentencing was handed down by Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker on October 27.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Miller, who prosecuted the case, detailed the events leading up to the tragic incident during the guilty plea and sentencing hearing. On April 4, 2022, Pennsylvania State Police troopers were pursuing Pineda-Gasca, who was driving a silver Infiniti with a stolen license plate. Despite being pulled over by police in Chester County, Pineda-Gasca fled at high speeds, weaving through traffic and ignoring all traffic signs.
The pursuit ended tragically in Lancaster County when Pineda-Gasca attempted to pass two vehicles at speeds exceeding 100 mph and collided with Whisler’s vehicle, which was making a legal left turn into the Conestoga Christian School in Caernarvon Township. The impact was so severe that Whisler’s vehicle rolled over, hit a utility pole, landed on its roof, and nearly split in half.
In subsequent interviews with the police, Pineda-Gasca confessed to fleeing out of fear of being arrested for DUI, having smoked marijuana earlier that day. The charges against Pineda-Gasca were filed by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Jason Sperazza.
This case underscores the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the importance of abiding by traffic laws. As Pineda-Gasca begins his prison sentence, the community mourns the loss of Alicia Whisler and prays for the recovery of her young child.
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