DUI Driver Found Guilty in Bethlehem Injury

A Northampton County jury found Bethlehem man Leroy Mendez guilty Monday in a DUI hit-and-run that left 24-year-old Yuleidy Contreras with permanent brain injuries. (lehighvalleylive.com) (msn.com) LehighValleyLive reported Mendez, 37, was convicted on 12 counts, including aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault and leaving the scene. (lehighvalleylive.com) (msn.com) The crash happened in July 2025 on Industrial Drive in Bethlehem. Police said Contreras was struck there and remained in a coma in intensive care when charges were announced in September. (lehighvalleynews.com) (lehighvalleylive.com) By the time of trial, prosecutors said the injuries had become permanent brain damage. The case shifted from a serious-injury hit-and-run to a trial centered on lifelong harm. (lehighvalleylive.com) Investigators took months to identify Mendez after the collision. Earlier reporting said police tied him to the crash after locating his damaged vehicle and building the case through follow-up investigation. (lehighvalleynews.com) (lehighvalleylive.com) The verdict closes the trial phase, but not the case. Sentencing is the next major step, and the convictions expose Mendez to prison time under Pennsylvania’s DUI assault and hit-and-run laws. (lehighvalleylive.com)