Man pleads guilty to DUI crash that seriously injured three, sentenced to 45 years
The DA’s office says the man exhibited visual signs of impairment, which caused the trooper to conduct field sobriety exercises.
HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A man pleaded guilty to DUI and causing a crash that seriously injured three people, according to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.
50-year-old Sergio Elizalde Lanciego pleaded guilty on April 21, 2026, to three counts of serious injury by vehicle, as well as driving under the influence.
Lanciego was sentenced to a total of 45 years, with the first 12 years to serve in prison.
According to the news release, two different families traveling in two different vehicles stopped off I-75 at the Sam Nunn Boulevard exit during their travels on April 5, 2025.
The DA’s office says one vehicle contained a married couple from Tennessee who were returning from a cruise celebrating their wedding anniversary, and the other vehicle contained a Tift County driver who was visiting the area.
Both vehicles waited for their light to turn green to get back on I-75 when Lanciego’s vehicle exited I-75 at a high rate of speed. Lanciego ran a red light and struck the two vehicles.
The news release states the crash totaled all three vehicles and caused all three to exit the roadway and end up in a ditch. Numerous law enforcement officers, first responders and EMS personnel responded to the scene.
The Tift County victim received injuries to her neck and shoulder area.
The Tennessee husband received a concussion, several internal injuries, including broken ribs and a collapsed lung, and numerous cuts and scrapes. The Tennessee wife received the most serious injuries, including a collapsed lung and brain trauma.
During the investigation, Lanciego was discovered to have been impaired while operating his vehicle. The DA’s office says Lanciego exhibited visual signs of impairment, which caused the trooper to conduct field sobriety exercises.
Lanciego was placed under arrest for DUI and consented to a blood draw. Subsequent testing revealed he had a blood alcohol content level of 0.123.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith of the Houston Circuit District Attorney’s Office released the following statement:
“The Houston County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Georgia State Patrol and the Perry Police Department, for their efforts in bringing this drunk driver to justice. The Office would especially like to highlight the heroic efforts of Trooper Michael Strickland and Sergeant Jacob Laster. Each and every person traveling on our local roadways should feel safe while riding on these roadways. The District Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting the community from drunk drivers, as well as ensuring that drivers who cause a death or serious injury always go to prison following a conviction.”
District Attorney Eric Edwards released the following statement:
“This case is a stark reminder that driving under the influence is not a simple mistake—it is a decision that puts every other person on the roadway at risk. Every impaired driver is a potential violent offender the moment they get behind the wheel. In this case, that decision resulted in devastating, life-altering injuries to multiple victims who were simply stopped at a red light, doing nothing wrong. These were families traveling through our community, and in a matter of seconds, their lives were changed because one individual chose to get behind the wheel while impaired. The consequences of that choice are severe, and they should be. I am grateful for the work of the Georgia State Patrol and the Perry Police Department, as well as the prosecution of this case by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith. The sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of the harm caused and sends a clear message that those who choose to drive under the influence and injure others will be held fully accountable.”
