Bensalem Man Gets Prison For Deadly Crash On Meth

BENSALEM, PA — A Bensalem man who was on methamphetamine and other drugs when he caused a deadly, head-on collision will spend up to 14 years behind bars for the crime.

Cooper Edward Finley, 32, was sentenced Wednesday to six to 14 years in state prison by Common Pleas Judge Brian T. McGuffin. Finley pleaded guilty in October to charges in the death of Ronald Swanson, a 40-year-old father of four.

McGuffin also ordered Finley to serve another seven years of probation for the March 23 crash.

Finley was driving south on Bristol Pike at 12:18 p.m. that day when he drove into the northbound lane, forcing two drivers to swerve to avoid being hit. Swanson, who also was driving north, tried to avoid Finley, but was struck head-on in the area of Hulmeville Road.

Investigators found that Finley never tried to avoid the crash. Swanson was extracted from his car and taken to a hospital, when he was pronounced dead. A blood sample showed Finley had amphetamine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, norfentanyl and methadone in his system at the time of the crash.

During sentencing on Wednesday, Swanson's family members told McGuffin how his loss has devastated them. His wife said his death left "an empty space in my heart" and his sister cried, saying "it has torn apart my whole family."

"Cooper Finley took everything away from us," Swanson's mother said. "I will not be able to heal from this."

Deputy District Attorney Megan Hunsicker also highlighted Finley's lengthy arrest record for drug charges, including one that landed him in state prison, and his "selfish choices" despite opportunities in in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation and other drug diversion programs.

Finley had pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, accidents involving death or personal injury while not licensed, recklessly endangering another person, three DUI offenses, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and five traffic violations.