Teen Sentenced To Probation In Wrightstown Crash That Killed Woman

DOYLESTOWN, PA — A Bucks County teenager will serve seven years of probation, including the first 12 months on home confinement with electronic monitoring, after pleading guilty to homicide by vehicle in a crash that killed a 49-year-old Northampton Township woman in April 2023.

Appearing in court on July 3o, 19-year-old Benjamin Gillie of Wrightstown pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter in the death of Elisabeth Burnett-Martin, 49, of Northampton Township.

Gillie was also charged with recklessly endangering another, exceeding the speed limit by 41 mph, disregarding traffic lane, and obedience to traffic control devices.

Judge Stephen Corr ordered Gillie to serve no more than seven years of probation and no less than seven years of probation and to undergo mental health treatment. The judge also ordered Gillie to pay costs and statutory fines associated with the charges.

Before passing the sentence, the court was presented with 16 impact statements from family members and friends, six of which were read in the courtroom.

"She was a gift, taken from us in the blink of an eye," said Burnett-Martin's sister, Katie Burnett-Bruckman. "There is not a day that goes by that I have not thought of and missed my sister. I put on a smile for those around me but break down silently almost daily. A future without Elisabeth does not seem as bright. She will not celebrate another birthday or hug her beloved niece or nephew again. She will not be there to care for her mom, or make sure that her husband is safe and happy. She will not be able to see the world and the world is worse for it.

"My sister’s death was not an accident," Burnett-Martin told the court. "Mr. Gillie drove 41 miles per hour over the posted speed and his actions endangered not only his and his passengers’ lives, but the lives of everyone on the road that day. His actions were arrogant, thoughtless and reckless. His actions killed a wife, daughter, aunt, friend, and sister."

Elisabeth Burnett Martin's mother, Nancy Burnett, also spoke.

"The consequences of the defendant’s actions caused devastation to a family and death to

his victim. Although there was not legally defined intent, driving 81 mph in a clearly marked 35 mph zone on wet roads and going into a curve shows total disregard for the law and for the safety of others traveling those roads."

According to court documents, the accident happened on April 28 around 5:30 p.m. on Worthington Mill Road in the area of Mud Road as a steady rain was falling.

Police said an eastbound Audi S4, driven by Gillie, spun out and crashed head-on into a westbound Subaru CrossTrek driven by Elisabeth Burnett-Martin, 49, of Northampton Township.

The impact of the crash pushed the Subaru 11 feet back from the point of impact and rotated the car clockwise until it was facing east on Worthington Mill Road, according to court documents.

Firefighters from Lingohocken and Newtown Fire and Rescue worked for 30 minutes to free Burnett-Martin from the wreckage of her car. She was transported to St. Mary Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries the following day.

An autopsy was conducted and the cause of death was listed as "multiple injuries" sustained as a result of the accident.

Gillie and a 17-year-old passenger were treated for non-threatening injuries.

According to court documents, when asked by officers what happened Gillie said he was driving on Worthington Mill Road. "While turning, my car started sliding ... My car started slipping around the curve." He later told his mother that his car "spun out," court records say.

Gillie was charged by Newtown Township Police with Homicide by Vehicle, recklessly endangering another person (two counts), exceeding the maximum speed limit by 41 mph, obedience to traffic control devices, and disregarding the traffic lane. Bail was set at $100,000, unsecured bond.