ALLENTOWN, PA – An arrest has been made in a fatal crash that took place in Allentown in February, according to District Attorney Jim Martin and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca.
Jose Rainer Gonzalez-Roman, of Allentown, was taken into custody Wednesday night in Allentown and was lodged in Lehigh County Jail. Bail was set at $150,000.
“In March, Gonzalez-Roman was charged with Homicide by Vehicle and Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury While Not Properly Licensed, both felonies of the third degree; Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury; a felony of the second degree and summary charges of Immediate Notice of Accident to Police Department, Driving While Operating Privilege is Suspended or Revoked, Reckless Driving and Duty to Give Information and Render Aid,” police said in a statement today.
On Feb. 15, at approximately 3:30 a.m., an Allentown Police officer saw a white vehicle traveling at a “very high rate of speed” in the 1000 block of West Tilghman Street.
“As the officer tried to catch up to the vehicle to see the license plate and initiate a vehicle stop, the officer came upon an unresponsive and seriously injured man lying in the roadway at North 17th Street and Sumner Avenue. This victim was later identified as Steve Bernhard,” the department said in a statement today. “Vehicle debris, including a driver’s side mirror, was found near Bernhard. The vehicle that struck the victim did not remain at the scene of the crash.”
Bernhard was taken to an area hospital and later died from his injuries. Bernhard died from multiple blunt force trauma, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s office. Surveillance video from the area of the crash showed the suspect vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed as it struck Bernhard.