Driver Charged in Crash that Killed Off-Duty Lancaster, PA, Firefighter

Oct. 23—A Lancaster city woman was not properly licensed when she caused the crash that killed a 10-year veteran of the Lancaster city fire department, according to police.

Manheim Township police last week charged Gleny Asencio De Valdez, 47, with causing an accident involving death or injury while not licensed and three summary charges in connection with the Sept. 28, 2023, crash that killed Chris McCann, 43, of Lancaster.

The crash happened at the intersection of Fruitville Pike, Manheim Pike and Keller Avenue, just north of the city, where Fruitville Pike becomes Prince Street.

Asencio De Valdez turned onto Manheim Pike from Fruitville Pike when she did not have the right of way, and McCann's motorcycle struck her car, according to police.

Asencio De Valdez told police she did not have a valid driver's license, and her friend usually took her to work, according to charging documents. She said she made the decision to drive that morning because her friend was running late.

Asencio De Valdez also told police McCann was traveling too fast and that she had a green arrow giving her the right of way before the collision, according to charging documents.

McCann died of his injuries at Lancaster General Hospital 16 days later.

Police reconstructed the crash and found McCann was traveling within the speed limit and had a green light at the intersection, according to charging documents. They said Asencio De Valdez would have been able to see him coming for 7.21 seconds before the crash.

Asencio De Valdez is free on $15,000 unsecured bail. She did not have an attorney listed on her docket as of Wednesday.

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