Central Pa. man, 21, facing multiple charges after fatal February crash

A 21-year-old man is facing numerous charges, including homicide by vehicle, following a fatal crash in February.

Officers were dispatched to the scene of the crash at the intersection of East Walnut and East Cumberland streets on Feb. 18 at 5:23 a.m., according to South Lebanon County police.

At the scene, officers found two vehicles involved in the crash. Police said one of the vehicles, a black Nissan SUV, was operated by Rubin Montero, 21, of Lebanon. The other vehicle, a gray Subaru SUV, was operated by Joshua Bartal, 25, of Lebanon, who sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. Montero was not injured.

According to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by Fox 43, an officer obtained surveillance footage of the crash from a nearby McDonald’s. Police said it showed Bartal driving north on East Walnut Street and coming to a stop sign at East Cumberland Street. At the same time, Montero was seen speeding west on East Cumberland Street before striking a traffic island and going airborne, crashing into Bartal on the south side of the street, police said.

After being interviewed, Montero was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and transported to a local hospital for a blood test, where it was determined he was under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance after a sobriety test was performed.

At the scene, officers discovered Montero had an active warrant for his arrest by the Pennsylvania State Police.

Montero later told police at the hospital that he had fallen asleep while driving and claimed that the other car had crashed before his car struck the utility pole.

After further investigation, police determined Bartal’s fatal injuries were caused by Montero driving on the wrong side of the road at nearly double the posted speed limit while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana.

Montero has been charged with homicide by vehicle while under the influence, homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, general impairment, DUI: highest rate of alcohol, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, DUI combination of alcohol and drugs, reckless driving and careless driving.

Montero is currently at Lebanon County Prison after he was unable to post the $250,000 bail.

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