A Columbia woman will serve up to a decade in prison for being under the influence of methamphetamine and fentanyl when she caused a vehicle crash that seriously injured a woman and her 11-year-old daughter.
Ardis Goldsborough was driving entirely in the opposing lane when she caused the head-on collision April 1 on Blue Rock Road in Manor Township.
The woman and daughter both underwent emergency surgeries.
“I remember a car veering into our (lane), waking up [to] the pain of a hundred hammers,” the girl said Monday in Lancaster County Court.
Goldsborough will serve 3 to 10 years in prison, in accordance with a plea agreement arranged by Assistant District Attorney Ande Gonzalez.
Goldsborough pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular aggravated assault while DUI and related offenses.
The girl underwent reconstructive facial surgery and sustained intestinal injuries. Her mother sustained a broken wrist and knee and had part of her intestine removed in surgery.
The girl, a sixth grader at the time of the crash, said she missed concerts and events, including her sixth-grade graduation, while recovering.
“I want her to become a better person throughout this experience,” she said of Goldsborough.
Goldsborough then turned and apologized to the victims, after saying she has battled drug addiction for 13 years.
“I’m truly sorry from the bottom of my heart. I think about you every day,” Goldsborough told the victims.
Manor Township police Officer Andrew Long filed charges.
Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker accepted the plea terms and ordered sentence.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright