Man faces charges in fatal ATV crash
Trappe woman, 21, died when she was thrown from vehicle on Christmas Eve
NORRISTOWN >> A Collegeville man has been charged with homicide be vehicle and DUI in connection with a Christmas Eve crash that claimed the life of a 21-year-old woman.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Upper Providence Township Police Chief Mark A. Toomey have announced the arrest of Steven E. Gismonde Jr., 32, of South Lewis Road, in Collegeville, for homicide by vehicle while DUI and other charges in the death of 21-year-old Sydney Hunter Stone of Trappe.
At 2:35 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2016, Upper Providence Township Police responded to a crash at the intersection of Ridge Pike and Greenwood Avenue involving a Suzuki ATV and a Honda Civic. A joint investigation of the crash by Upper Providence Township Police and Montgomery County Detectives determined that the ATV operated by Gismonde was driving southbound on Greenwood Avenue approaching Ridge Pike when the defendant failed to stop for the posted stop sign and entered the westbound travel lane on Ridge Pike. Gismonde’s ATV hit the front passenger side of the Honda and the impact caused the ATV to ride up onto the hood of the Honda, ejecting Gismonde and Stone from the ATV. Stone was transported to Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Gismonde was transported to Paoli Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
A toxicology report on Gismonde’s blood revealed a blood-alcohol content of 0.135 percent. Additionally, Gismonde is not licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Pennsylvania and has a suspended driver’s license in the state of New Jersey.
Gismonde was arrested on Feb. 8 and charged with felony homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle and accidents involving death or personal injury without a license, as well as other misdemean- ors and related charges.
He was arraigned before District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar, who set bail at $100,000, with the additional condition that the defendant not operate a motor vehicle.
Gismonde failed to make bail and was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 before District Court Judge Walter F. Gadzicki Jr.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Meghan Carney.