A 24-year-old man who authorities said seriously injured four Neshaminy High School girls in a head-on crash in Northampton Township last year pleaded guilty Thursday, Jan. 6, to all charges.
Shane Brolly is accused of crossing into opposing traffic to pass a vehicle on the night of March 27, 2021, leading to the head-on crash. As police investigated the crash, they located opened and unopened beers in Brolly’s truck and detected an odor of alcohol on him. Blood tests results showed Brolly’s blood-alcohol content was 0.21 percent, more than twice the legal limit to drive, and an investigation found that Brolly had been drinking for several hours prior to the 10:10 p.m. crash in the 300 block of Bridgetown Pike in Northampton Township, Deputy District Attorney Robert D. James said in court on Thursday.
The investigation also found that Brolly was refused service at a Philadelphia bar because he was heavily intoxicated, and his friends pleaded with him not to drive, even offering him a ride and a place to stay.
On Thursday, Brolly entered a guilty plea before Bucks County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey L. Finley to: five counts of aggravated assault, five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, five counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving death or injury while not licensed, eight counts of recklessly endangering another person, DUI-general impairment, DUI-highest rate of alcohol, driving at unsafe speeds, careless driving, and disregarding traffic lanes. Sentencing was deferred to a later date.
Police determined Brolly was driving north on the 300 block of Bridgetown Pike and attempted to pass a vehicle by crossing the double yellow lines into the southbound lane. While in the southbound lane, Brolly collided with a Mazda SUV, causing the vehicle to roll several times, and pushing it back 50 feet off the roadway. The crash sent Brolly’s truck back into the northbound lane where it then struck the vehicle he attempted to pass. Brolly was travelling 70 miles per hour at the point of impact, and he did not brake.
The four occupants of the Mazda – two 16-year-old girls and two 17-year-old girls – suffered serious injuries that included broken bones and fractures, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries that required surgery, and multiple lacerations. They continue to receive treatment for their injuries. Brolly’s passenger, Eion Quinn, also suffered serious internal injuries that required surgery, multiple abrasions from the seat belt, and hip and lower back pain. Three occupants in the third vehicle were treated at the scene and released.
Brolly, who is a non-US citizen and has lived in Philadelphia for two years, does not possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
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