Speeding driver charged with homicide, DUI nearly 2 years after crash killed Harrisburg woman

A Harrisburg man was speeding on wet roads and passing illegally just before he c aused an October 2022 crash that killed one of his passengers, police said in court documents filed this week.

Jose J. Rivera Jr., 34, was charged with vehicular homicide and DUI on Monday in connection to the Oct. 4, 2022, crash in Newberry Township that killed Yahaira Montero, of Harrisburg, court records show.

A witness told police Rivera passed him on Old Trail Road, going about 60 mph in a 35 mph zone, on a double-yellow-lined section of roadway signaling no passing. The witness said he soon came across Rivera's Toyota Corolla, which had crashed into a Jeep, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Police said Rivera was driving the Toyota south through the 700 block of Old Trail Road when he crossed into the northbound lane and hit the Jeep around 9 a.m. Montero, Rivera's front-seat passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Montero died of blunt force trauma, and her death was ruled accidental, the York County Coroner's Office said.

Three people were also injured in the crash, according to police.

Data obtained from the Toyota showed the car was traveling at a high speed just before the crash, according to the affidavit. Police did not provide a specific speed in court documents.

A blood draw also showed Rivera had marijuana in his system during the crash, the affidavit said.

Online court records show Rivera has not been taken into custody as of Tuesday.