Lydia Hanson, 32, from Maryland, received a nine-year prison sentence for her role in a fatal drunk-driving crash that killed 78-year-old Richard Snyder on March 16, 2025, in Carroll County. She was convicted of negligent automobile manslaughter and a prior DUI (with a one-year suspended sentence) just one day earlier, only a few miles away.
Key Crash Details
- Erratic Driving: Witnesses saw Hanson speeding up to 99 mph (in a 55 mph zone) southbound on Route 97 in her Volkswagen. She veered into the northbound lane, forcing other drivers to swerve.
- Collision: She hit Snyder’s northbound Chevrolet truck head-on north of Maryland Route 26 around 2 p.m.
- Fatal Outcome: Snyder died at a hospital. Hanson was airlifted to a trauma center.
- Evidence: She refused a blood test, but police got a warrant—results showed her BAC at 0.34 (over 4x the 0.08 legal limit).
Prosecutors highlighted the “incredible” timing: Hanson had been charged with DUI the day before nearby, yet she drove impaired again. The judge called it “the worst facts” he’d seen, noting her prior arrest should have been a wake-up call.
Victim’s Legacy
Richard Snyder, a lifelong car enthusiast and mechanic who could rebuild engines but struggled with TV remotes, left behind his wife of 52 years.
This case underscores the dangers of repeat impaired driving—Maryland’s penalties for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated can include 8–15 years, aligning with her sentence. For more, check the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office or Law&Crime coverage.
