Montgomery County, PA

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 20, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Montgomery Township Police Chief Richard J. Brady announce the arrest of Stephen Strassburg (DOB 6/11/86) of Sellersville, PA.  Strassburg is charged with Homicide by Vehicle, Accidents Involving Death or Serious Bodily Injury, Driving Under the Influence, Driving Under Suspension and related charges.

 

On July 30, 2009 at approximately 12:30 am, Montgomery Township Police responded to a two vehicle crash on County Line Road, near the intersection with Richardson Road, in Montgomery Township, PA.  The vehicles involved were a Buick Rendezvous, driven by Strassburg and a Suzuki Vitara driven by Wayne Cooper of Philadelphia with Tyrone Moore of Philadelphia in the passenger seat.  At the time of the crash Cooper and Moore were on a break from working and heading to a nearby WAWA Store. Strassburg and Moore were transported to the hospital for treatment for injuries resulting from the crash.  Wayne Cooper was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Through the investigation it was determined that Strassburg was driving westbound on County Line Road at a high rate of speed and crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic striking the vehicle driven by Cooper. Strassburg hit Cooper’s vehicle head-on.  Laboratory analysis of the defendant’s blood determined that at the time of the crash, Strassburg had Clonazepam and Marijuana in his system.

 

In June, 2008, Strassburg plead guilty to Driving Under the Influence in the Court of Common Pleas, Montgomery County.  At the time of the crash, Strassburg’s license was under suspension as a result of his previous DUI conviction.  Additionally, it was determined that the vehicle Strassburg was driving had inspection and emission stickers affixed to it which were not issued to that vehicle.

 

On August 20, 2009 Magisterial District Judge David A. Keightly arraigned the defendant and set bail in the amount of $5000.  The defendant was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing on this matter is scheduled for September 9, 2009, 9:45 am at Magisterial District Judge Keightly’s Court, which is located at 601 Bethlehem Pike, Building D, Suite 100 in Montgomeryville. 

 

Assistant District Attorney Katherine McGill is assigned to prosecute the case.

 

 

Approved for release:

 

Kevin R. Steele