Woman sentenced for fatal DUI crash after prior DUI arrest

Lydia Hanson, 32, pleaded guilty to automobile manslaughter after killing a 78-year-old man while driving drunk at 99 mph just a day after her first DUI arrest.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:27am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car windshield reflecting the harsh light of a camera flash, conceptually representing the devastating impact of a fatal drunk driving collision.The aftermath of a fatal drunk driving crash exposes the harsh reality of the consequences of reckless behavior on the road.Baltimore Today

A Baltimore woman named Lydia Hanson, 32, was sentenced to 9 years in prison for a fatal DUI crash that killed a 78-year-old man in March 2025. Hanson was found guilty of automobile manslaughter after crossing the center line on Route 97 and striking an oncoming truck driven by Richard Snyder. Hanson's blood alcohol content was 0.34, four times the legal limit in Maryland, and she was driving 99 mph in a 55 mph zone. Authorities said Hanson had been arrested for a separate DUI just the day before the fatal crash, but that did not deter her from driving drunk again.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of repeat drunk driving and the tragic consequences that can occur when impaired drivers remain on the roads. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in deterring such reckless behavior, as Hanson continued to drive under the influence even after her initial DUI arrest.

The details

According to court documents, Lydia Hanson was stopped and arrested for a DUI on March 15, 2025, just a day before the fatal crash. The exact location of that initial DUI stop was not provided. On March 16, 2025, Hanson was driving on Route 97 when she crossed the center line and struck an oncoming truck driven by 78-year-old Richard Snyder. Hanson's blood alcohol content was measured at 0.34, four times the legal limit in Maryland, and she was driving at 99 mph in a 55 mph zone. Snyder was killed in the collision.

  • On March 15, 2025, Hanson was arrested for a DUI.
  • On March 16, 2025, Hanson was involved in the fatal crash that killed Richard Snyder.
  • On April 1, 2026, Hanson was sentenced for the fatal DUI crash.

The players

Lydia Hanson

A 32-year-old Baltimore woman who was found guilty of automobile manslaughter and sentenced to 9 years in prison for a fatal DUI crash that killed a 78-year-old man.

Richard Snyder

A 78-year-old man from Westminster, Maryland who was killed when Lydia Hanson's vehicle crossed the center line and struck his truck head-on.

Judge Brian DeLeonardo

The judge who sentenced Lydia Hanson to 9 years in prison, stating that her behavior was "extreme and dangerous" and that it was "no surprise that someone died."

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What they’re saying

“You didn't intend to kill the victim, but you did intend the behavior that led up to it. The day before you were arrested and charged and you would think that would have been a wake-up call to you and it wasn't. The driving was extreme and dangerous, and it was no surprise that someone died.”

— Judge Brian DeLeonardo

What’s next

The judge's sentencing of Lydia Hanson to 9 years in prison, with an additional 6 years suspended and 5 years of supervised probation, represents the conclusion of the legal proceedings in this case.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to prevent repeat drunk driving offenses and hold impaired drivers accountable before they can cause irreparable harm. It also highlights the devastating impact that such reckless behavior can have on innocent victims and their loved ones.