Birdsboro man sought in fatal hit-and-run

A Birdsboro man faces felony charges stemming from a hit-and-run accident that claimed a woman’s life June 18 on Fifth Street Highway in Muhlenberg Township, police announced Monday.

Daniel Espinal, 25, has been charged with failing to render aid and fleeing the scene of an accident which resulted in death, secondand-third degree felonies under the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

Espinal, who remains at large, is also charged with careless driving and operating a vehicle while his license is suspended.

Muhlenberg police filed the charges after investigating the death of Amy Otero, 40, who died of injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle at Madison Avenue and Fifth Street Highway.

The driver of the vehicle, police said, left the scene without notifying police or stopping to render assistance to the victim. According to police: On June 18 at about 12:56 a.m., Muhlenberg officers responded to the incident

On arrival, police found Otero deceased and learned that the striking vehicle had left the scene.

Muhlenberg police were assisted at the scene by detectives from the Berks County district attorney’s office, who also assisted in the investigation and in gathering evidence.

The suspect’s vehicle, a silver Mercedes, was located by Reading police in a city apartment complex parking lot later that day. The vehicle was subsequently impounded and examined for evidence.

Espinal was identified as the suspected driver based on physical evidence and statements from people with information about the incident.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Muhlenberg Police Department at 610929-5454.