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Northampton man, who caused crash, serious injuries, gets probation

An Northampton man who admitted speeding and crashing head-on into another vehicle causing serious injuries to the other driver, was given a probation sentence on Thursday in Carbon County court.

Kyle Robert Hildebrant, 23, who formerly listed a Lower Towamensing Township address, previously pleaded guilty to a felony count of aggravated assault by vehicle causing serious bodily injury.

Hildebrant was arrested on Feb. 11, 2020, by state police at Lehighton. He was speeding when troopers attempted to stop him in Lower Towamensing Township. He continued at a high rate of speed, passing a vehicle and eventually colliding his pickup truck head-on into another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle suffered serious injuries. Tested, Hildebrant had a 0.07 BAC.

Judge Joseph J. Matika said he would spare Hildebrant a prison term because of the remorse he has shown for his actions and the support he has received from family and friends. Matika placed him on probation for five years. Under sentencing guidelines, Hildebrant could have received a minimum sentence up to nine months in jail.

Defense attorney Gregory R. Spang described the crash as “a scary accident.” He said his client has shown remorse for his actions from the very beginning of the investigation by police.

Hildebrant read a statement in which he expressed remorse to the victim and his family. He told the court, “I was driving like an idiot.” He said, “Sorry would never justify my actions.”

The defendant’s mother testified her son went into deep depression after the crash and still has problems sleeping and dealing with it.

The victim was not present for the proceeding.

Matika noted a number of letters received on behalf of the defendant.

Referring to a presentence investigation report prepared by the adult probation office, Matika said he looks at such a report for the good and bad in people.

He asked Hildebrant, “What was going through your head? What made you do what you did that night?”

The judge added, “Hopefully this is the worst mistake you will ever make in your life.”

He added that the victim will never fully recover from the injuries he sustained.

He added that he saw more good than bad in Hildebrant, telling him, “I’m going to spare you a jail sentence.”

Hildebrant was also ordered to render 200 hours of community service, get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment, supply a DNA sample, make restitution to the victim for medical bills of $24,427.96, have no contact with the victim, pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation.