Lauren Welch, a 23-year-old woman from Pelham, North Carolina, is facing serious felony charges after allegedly striking her boyfriend with her car during a heated domestic dispute at a campground in Cumberland Township, Pennsylvania. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 14, 2024, at Round Top Campground, has led to aggravated assault charges and DUI-related offenses.
According to Cumberland Township police, the situation unfolded around 12:53 a.m. Officers were dispatched to Knight Road after receiving a call about a man lying in the middle of the road, writhing in pain. Upon arrival, they discovered the man, who was identified as Welch’s boyfriend, also from Pelham, North Carolina. He recounted a series of troubling events that led to his injury.
The couple had reportedly been staying at the campground together over the weekend in a camper. However, tensions escalated, and the two were involved in several arguments, with the victim noting that Welch had attempted to run him over with her car two or three times the previous day. As their conflict intensified, the victim decided to leave the camper on Sunday morning, gathering his belongings and walking away. As he did so, tragedy struck—literally.
The victim, who was later found to have no sensation below his waist, was struck from behind by a vehicle, leaving him with severe lower back injuries and no reflexes in his feet. Emergency medical responders were quickly on the scene, and given the severity of his injuries, the victim was airlifted to a nearby hospital by helicopter.
Witnesses at the campground corroborated the victim’s account. Two individuals reported seeing the man walking away with a backpack and asking them to call the police, seemingly distressed. They then observed a silver Hyundai, driven by an adult woman, approach the victim. An argument ensued between the driver and the victim, with the woman shouting at him to get in the car. When he refused, the witnesses say the vehicle struck the man before driving away and returning to the campsite.
Police found Welch at the campsite near the silver Hyundai that was reportedly involved in the incident. Welch admitted to having a prolonged disagreement with her boyfriend over the weekend and acknowledged following him in her vehicle as he walked away. While she denied deliberately hitting him with the car, she confessed that she “may have struck him,” according to the affidavit.
Adding further complexity to the case, Welch admitted to consuming alcohol and marijuana earlier in the day. She was transported to Gettysburg Hospital for a blood alcohol content (BAC) test, though the results of the test have yet to be made public. Driving under the influence is a key factor in her charges, with police records confirming that Welch faces aggravated assault with a vehicle while DUI, as well as other misdemeanor charges related to driving under the influence.
Welch is currently being held at Adams County Prison on a $15,000 bail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 25, 2024, where the full scope of the charges against her will be presented.
This incident highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the tragic consequences that can result from escalated confrontations. It also underscores the increased risks associated with impaired driving. As the case unfolds, it will likely draw more attention to the growing concerns surrounding domestic disputes and their intersections with substance use.
Authorities in Cumberland Township are continuing their investigation, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days. At this point, the condition of the victim remains critical, with no updates on his recovery or the long-term implications of his injuries. As of now, the charges against Welch reflect the serious nature of her alleged actions, with a potential for significant legal consequences if convicted.