Pa. man sentenced for intentionally driving SUV into police officer

Pennsylvania Pa. man sentenced for intentionally driving SUV into police officer Dalton Janiczek was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison for intentionally driving his SUV into Plymouth Township Police Officer Jake Hennessey. By Deanna Durante and David Chang • Published 6 minutes ago • Updated 18 seconds ago A man who intentionally drove his SUV into police officers outside a Montgomery County hotel last year will spend decades behind bars. On Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, Dalton Janiczek, 22, of Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in state prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill to attempting to kill Plymouth Township Police Officer Jake Hennessey. Stream Philadelphia News for free, 24/7, wherever you are with NBC10. WATCH HERE The incident On Oct. 24, 2025, at 12:39 p.m., Officer Hennessey responded to the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel on Fountain Road in Plymouth Township in search of a Mercedes G-Wagon. The vehicle had been involved in several incidents in Montgomery and surrounding counties and the driver – later identified as Janiczek – had called 911, telling the operator he wanted to blow up a police station and harm or kill officers. Officer Hennessey spotted the Mercedes and pulled behind it with his emergency lights activated. Within seconds, Janiczek drove in reverse and struck Hennessey several times. Hennessey exited his vehicle, pulled out his weapon and told Janiczek to stop and show his hands. Janiczek accelerated directly at the officer. Hennessey then fired six shots towards the front windshield of the Mercedes before the vehicle struck him and knocked him to the ground. Hennessey suffered serious injuries to his leg and Janiczek continued driving. Local Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. First Alert Weather 1 hour ago Live updates: Storms bring damaging wind, tornado threat to Philly area Washington DC 3 hours ago Gunman dead after ‘horrific' shooting that killed 1, wounded 4 others in D.C. As Hennessey tried to apply a tourniquet to his leg, Janiczek once again drove towards him and tried to run him over three more times. Officer Hennessey yelled for help and for Janiczek to stop. Janiczek then drove away and struck a Plymouth Township police car, injuring another officer. Janiczek was then stopped and arrested. Part of the incident was captured on cellphone video. A man is accused of intentionally driving into a Plymouth Township police officer outside a hotel in Plymouth Meeting on Friday. NBC10's Deanna Durante has video of the incident as well as details on the suspect who also allegedly threatened to blow up a police department. Janiczek addressed the court during his sentencing on Thursday and said he was unaware of his mental illness. He also apologized for his actions. Janiczek's lawyer said his client had been involuntarily committed days before the attack but Janiczek claimed he had refused to take his medication at the time. Despite five surgeries and living each day in pain, Officer Hennessey attended Thursday's sentencing. He took the stand and told the court he can't forget what happened to him last year or his screams for help after he was run over four times. Hennessey -- who was with his family and fellow officers -- also said he was grateful for the support he's received from the entire police department. “It’s kind of hard to put into words how meaningful it is just to have all the support,” Hennessey said. “Many of them worked from 7 p.m. last night to 7 a.m. this morning and are still here. And still took the time out of their day. They’re not home with their families right now so they could be here for me and it really means a lot.” This article tagged under: Pennsylvania