Alyssa Denise Boyd, a 23-year-old from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, died on May 23, 2025, in an ATV accident in Bradford County when the vehicle, driven by her boyfriend and former college football receiver Julian Fleming, struck a deer on a rural road. Fleming, who was legally intoxicated at the time, was later charged with four felonies and pleaded guilty in April 2026 to involuntary manslaughter and DUI under an agreement that calls for nine to 23 months in county jail.
What Happened on Painter Lick Lane
Just after 8:00 p.m. on May 23, 2025, Fleming was driving a 2024 Yamaha ATV on Painter Lick Lane in Columbia Township, in the western part of Bradford County. A deer entered the roadway. The ATV hit it and crashed. Pennsylvania State Police investigators found a recently deceased deer at the scene with damage consistent with the collision.1CBS Sports. Former Penn State, Ohio State WR Julian Fleming Charged With Multiple Felonies in Fatal ATV Crash
Boyd was a passenger and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Bradford County Coroner’s Office determined she died from blunt force head injuries, including a fractured skull, and ruled the death an accident.2PennLive. Ex-Penn State Football Player’s Girlfriend Died From Head Injuries, Coroner Says Fleming was taken to Guthrie Troy Community Hospital with serious injuries and later released.3WTAJ. Former PSU WR Julian Fleming Pleads Guilty to Deadly ATV Crash Neither was wearing a helmet. Pennsylvania law requires operators and passengers of ATVs to wear securely fastened helmets.4Cornell Law Institute. 17 Pa. Code § 51.93
Who Alyssa Boyd Was
Boyd was born February 3, 2002, and graduated from Central Columbia High School. At the time of her death she was studying psychology at the University of Alabama and was expected to graduate in December 2025.5Heller Funeral Home. Alyssa Denise Boyd She played soccer, basketball, and ran track, and had recently taken up golf.2PennLive. Ex-Penn State Football Player’s Girlfriend Died From Head Injuries, Coroner Says She is survived by her parents, David L. Boyd Jr. and Lorie A. Yeager Boyd, and her brother, Zachary Boyd.
The Charges Against Julian Fleming
A blood draw after the crash showed Fleming’s BAC at 0.118%, above Pennsylvania’s 0.08% legal limit. His attorney said he cooperated with police and submitted to the test voluntarily.6Centre Daily Times. Former Penn State WR Julian Fleming Faces Charges in Fatal ATV Crash7NBC News. Julian Fleming, Former College Football Star, Charged With Homicide in Death of Girlfriend
In October 2025, Fleming turned himself in at the Towanda state police barracks and was booked into the Bradford County Correctional Facility on $75,000 bail.8York Daily Record. Former Penn State Football Player Julian Fleming Charged in Fatal ATV Crash He faced nine charges in total, including two second-degree felonies and two third-degree felonies. The most serious counts were homicide by vehicle while DUI and aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI.6Centre Daily Times. Former Penn State WR Julian Fleming Faces Charges in Fatal ATV Crash Under Pennsylvania law, homicide by vehicle while DUI is a second-degree felony carrying a mandatory minimum of three years in state prison on a first offense.9Pennsylvania General Assembly. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3735 – Homicide by Vehicle While Driving Under Influence
The Plea Deal and Sentence
On April 30, 2026, Fleming pleaded guilty at the Bradford County Courthouse to two misdemeanors: involuntary manslaughter and DUI. In exchange, prosecutors dropped 11 charges, including all four felonies.10Centre Daily Times. Former Penn State WR Julian Fleming Pleads Guilty in Fatal ATV Crash The agreement calls for a sentence of nine to 23 months in the Bradford County Correctional Facility followed by three years of probation, well below the three-year mandatory state prison term attached to the original felony homicide-by-vehicle charge.11PennLive. Ex-Penn State Wide Receiver Gets Plea Deal in DUI Crash That Killed His Girlfriend
Bradford County District Attorney Richard Wilson acknowledged that a deer caused the crash, saying Fleming “hit a deer and that is what actually caused the crash.”11PennLive. Ex-Penn State Wide Receiver Gets Plea Deal in DUI Crash That Killed His Girlfriend Fleming was legally intoxicated, but the immediate cause of the crash was the deer entering the roadway, not reckless driving.
Fleming’s attorney, David S. Bahuriak Jr., said his client is “remorseful” and has been in counseling, and is “doing the best he can to process this and take accountability.”11PennLive. Ex-Penn State Wide Receiver Gets Plea Deal in DUI Crash That Killed His Girlfriend The plea must be approved by Bradford County President Judge Maureen T. Beirne, with final sentencing scheduled for July 13, 2026.10Centre Daily Times. Former Penn State WR Julian Fleming Pleads Guilty in Fatal ATV Crash No public statement from the Boyd family about the plea has been reported.
Why the Case Drew National Attention
Fleming was one of the most highly rated high school football recruits in Pennsylvania history. Coming out of Southern Columbia High School in Catawissa, he was ranked the nation’s top overall player by ESPN in 2018 and a five-star prospect by Rivals.com and 247Sports.12Penn State Athletics. Julian Fleming – Football Roster He played four seasons at Ohio State, transferred to Penn State for the 2024 season, and signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent before being released after failing a physical tied to previous injuries. The crash happened roughly two months later.8York Daily Record. Former Penn State Football Player Julian Fleming Charged in Fatal ATV Crash