On May 30, 2026, at around 6:37 PM, the Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police responded to a vehicle crash with injuries in the 5800 block of Linglestown Road. The incident involved two eastbound vehicles, one with a single occupant, later identified as Chandra Basnet, and the other with a driver and passenger. All three individuals were transported to Hershey Medical Center for medical attention.
An investigation by the LPBP's Traffic Safety Unit revealed that Basnet's extremely reckless driving caused the crash. Prior to and at the time of the incident, Basnet was driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph in a 45 mph zone. It was also determined that Basnet was under the influence of alcohol, with a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit and had illegal narcotics in his system. The driver and passenger of the other vehicle sustained serious bodily injuries as a result of Basnet's actions and are still recovering.
On June 3, 2026, Basnet was taken into custody and transported to the Dauphin County Booking Center, where he was arraigned by MDJ Lenker. His bail was set at $100,000, which he was unable to post, and he was subsequently remanded to Dauphin County Prison.
Basnet was charged with the following Crimes:
Title 18 - Crimes Code:
- Aggravated Assault (2 counts) (FELONY 1)
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person (2 counts) (MISDEMEANOR 2)
Title 35 - Health and Safety Code :
- Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana (UNGRADED MISDEMEANOR)
Title 75 - Vehicle Code:
- Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI (2 Counts) (FELONY 2)
- Aggravated Assault by Vehicle (2 counts) (FELONY 3)
- Accidents Involving Death or Serious Personal Injury While Not Properly Licensed (2 counts) (FELONY 3)
- DUI: General Impairment (FELONY 3)
- DUI: Highest Rate of Alcohol (FELONY 3)
- DUI: Controlled Substance-Combination Alcohol/Drug (FELONY 3)
- Driving While Suspended-DUI Related with BAC of 0.02% or Greater (MISDEMEANOR 1)
- Reckless Driving (SUMMARY)
- Careless Driving (2 counts) (SUMMARY)
- Maximum Speed Limits - 70 mph over (SUMMARY)
- Restraint Systems (SUMMARY)