A local woman recently admitted to her fifth intoxicated-driving charge, which will cost her at least a year behind bars.
Kelly S. Bianchini, 56, pleaded guilty in Lancaster County Court to DUI and related counts regarding a March 15 incident in East Cocalico Township.
It was her fifth DUI conviction since 2007, prompting a minimum 1-year prison term at sentencing in a couple months.
Regarding the March 15 DUI, police were called to a Citgo gas station on North Reading Road for a vehicle that jumped a curb, at a high rate of speed, pulling into the lot.
They found Bianchini had parked her vehicle across multiple parking spaces and was staggering as she walked. East Cocalico police Officer Gail Sizer noticed an obvious odor of alcohol on Bianchini’s breath.
Bianchini told police she drank wine and was taking prescription medication. She refused a blood draw to determine her blood-alcohol level.
Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman has said about 20 percent of all impaired drivers charged in Lancaster County have priors DUIs. Stedman estimated that amounts to between 300 and 400 drivers each year with prior DUI offenses
In all, over 1,600 DUI charges were filed last year in Lancaster County.
Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker will order sentence after a background check is completed.
Assistant District Attorney Alexander Marcinko is prosecuting the case.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us