District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced on July 5 a sentencing for a man charged in a 2021 fatal crash that occurred in Upper Macungie Township.

According to Holihan in a news release, John Frederick Fifield, 21, of Breinigsville, pleaded guilty May 6 to charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, both felonies of the second degree; four counts each of recklessly endangering another person, misdemeanors of the second degree; and driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance — Schedule 1; a misdemeanor.

Fifield was sentenced July 5 before Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks to serve 4 to 20 years in state prison.

According to Holihan, around 6:26 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2021, Upper Macungie Township Police were called to a three-vehicle crash with injuries at the intersection of Hickory Lane and Snowdrift Road.

Fifield was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound on Hickory Lane when he struck a vehicle traveling southbound on Snowdrift Road in the middle of the intersection.

A third vehicle was also struck.

The driver of the second vehicle, Benjamin Bleiler, was pronounced dead at the scene.

He died as a result of blunt force injuries in the crash and his death was ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner.

A front seat passenger in Bleiler’s vehicle, his wife Erin Bleiler, suffered serious injuries in the crash including multiple fractures to her spine, face and ribs.

Bleiler’s two sons were also inside the vehicle at the time, but were not physically injured.

According to Holihan, an investigation revealed that just before the crash, Fifield’s vehicle was traveling in excess of 80 mph.

The speed limit on that section of the road where the crash occurred is 55 mph.

At the time of the crash, Fifield’s blood tests showed the presence of THC, an active ingredient in marijuana, Holihan said in the news release.

The case was investigated by the Lehigh County Crash Reconstruction Team, Upper Macungie Township Police Officer Joshua R. Forrester, a member of the team, and prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney V. Paul Bernardino III.