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WILKES-BARRE — A city woman who police say was drunk when she crashed her vehicle into a Jenkins Township home last year pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated assault and DUI charges.
Police say Lashawn Renee Gilliam, 41, of Carey Avenue, had her 7-year-old son in the vehicle when she lost control and careened into a residence at 1203 Main St., Jenkins Township, on Aug. 8. The vehicle’s left rear struck a tree and caused shattered glass to spray throughout the back of the vehicle, police say.
Gilliam allegedly denied drinking, but tested positive for alcohol following a portable breath test and was placed under arrest. Testing later showed she had a blood alcohol content of .224 percent, according to police.
Police say the child, who allegedly was not placed in a booster seat, was transported by Life Flight helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville for surgery after suffering injuries to the spine and kidney. Gilliam was uninjured, police say.
It was unclear whether the boy was seated in the front or back of the vehicle during the wreck.
On Thursday in Luzerne County Court, Gilliam pleaded guilty to a felony count of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, as well as two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence.
Luzerne County Judge Joseph Sklarosky Jr. ordered Gilliam to pay the homeowner $1,220 in restitution and submit to drug and alcohol evaluations.
She is scheduled to be sentenced June 20.