Matthew Bower was ordered to serve a one to two year sentence and pay restitution to CrystalLee Smith, who was severely injured in a July 2020 drunk driving accident that took the lives of James “Jimmy” Neufer and his girlfriend, Amanda Bergstrom.

Neufer and Bergstrom were killed when Bower’s 2003 Buick Century plowed into them at a high rate of speed, sending their motorcycle flying over Smith’s Toyota Corolla, sending the vehicle into a tailspin before it rested down an embankment on the east side of Arch Street, city police reported.

Neufer was pronounced dead at the scene, while Bergstrom died about an hour later at UPMC Williamsport, according to court documents.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Smith, who was visibly emotional, testified that the event has been life-changing for her.

Smith, who had previously worked as home health aide and nurse, has not been able to work since the accident due to injuries to her patella, which was shattered into five pieces.

Smith has only recently returned to work, against the wishes of her doctor because she felt she had no other choice.

Smith stated that she also suffered great emotional and mental stress, including survivor’s guilt, as well as guilt over not attending the funeral services for the victims, who she learned just days after the incident were friends of hers.

The courtroom was tense at times, as defense attorney Donald Martino attempted to poke holes in Smith’s claims for restitution.

“I never said that. Do not put words in my mouth,” Smith volleyed back after Martino insinuated that she had not been looking for work during a brief period of unemployment between May 2020 and the July accident.

Martino also presented several pictures of Smith without her brace.

Smith countered that she can remove her brace for brief periods of time, and does so in pictures as to not have the constant reminder of the trauma of that day. She also stated the brace was under her clothing in some, with some photos entered into evidence being several years old.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Matthew Bower was ordered to pay Smith restitution in the amount of $66,000, and serve a jail term of one to two years, concurrent with time he is already serving, per a plea agreement made in July 2023.

The sentence ordered by President Judge Nancy Butts was part of a plea deal that reduced the sentence under the charge of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, which would have carried a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Assistant District Attorney Joe Ruby, who was not involved in prior proceedings, acknowledged that the commonwealth was not fully prepared for the restitution portion of the hearing, which delayed things for almost an hour.

Martino made the court aware of his intent to file an appeal, as well as a motion of post-judgement modification.

On July 25, 2023, Bower pleaded guilty to 2 counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, and DUI, in exchange for a lighter sentence.

During the July hearing, Bower was sentenced to serve eight to 24 years for his crimes.

Following the hearing Tuesday, Bower was remanded to the Lycoming County prison.