A judge sentenced a Red Lion man to 12 to 27 years in state prison after he submitted a non-negotiated plea to killing a 1-year-old and seriously injuring six others in a head-on crash while driving into oncoming traffic.

Judge Jeffrey Conrad handed down the sentence to Mateen Ibn Haleem, of the 100 block of North Franklin Street, on March 23. Haleem had pleaded guilty in November to 28 different offenses, including a single count of homicide by vehicle, six counts of aggravated assault by vehicle and seven counts of accidents involving death or injury while not licensed, among other charges.

Haleem, 48, was speeding and attempting to pass another vehicle around a blind curve in the 1900 block of Holtwood Road in Martic Township the evening of Dec. 12, 2020, when he recklessly struck an oncoming minivan head-on.

The minivan’s youngest occupant, a 1-year-old, was pronounced dead at the scene after having suffered multiple traumatic injuries.

Five others inside the minivan were also seriously injured in the crash, with one being airlifted to a hospital in Delaware in critical condition with multiple crush injuries to her lower half, loss of consciousness and broken bones. Others suffered fractured or displaced bones, lacerations, concussions, muscle tears and other injuries.

Haleem’s son, who was a passenger in his vehicle, was also injured in the collision. Haleem himself was not seriously injured.

In an initial conversation with police, Haleem, who was driving with an invalid driver’s license at the time, claimed his tire had blown out which caused him to lose control of his vehicle. A subsequent inspection of Haleem’s vehicle determined it had no apparent mechanical issues or evidence that a tire had ruptured.

A forensic investigation also determined that Haleem was traveling well over the speed limit at the time of the crash.

Police also found marijuana on the driver’s side floor of Haleem’s vehicle.

Assistant District Attorney Kyle Linardo prosecuted the case.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Scott Radabaugh filed the charges.