Driver charged in fatal Monroe crash

The driver of a car that crashed and resulted in the death of the passenger has been charged.

Pocono Mountain Regional police said Jermaine Peterkin, 22, of Stroudsburg, has been charged as the result of a crash that occurred along Seven Nations Drive, in Tobyhanna, on Sept. 15, about 3 p.m. Police said Peterkin was driving a Mercedes-Benz sedan at a high rate of speed when he lost control and struck a tree.

A passenger in the car, Ulysses Smith, 23, of New York City, N.Y., died in the crash.

On Sept. 22 police arrested Peterkin on charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence (DUI), aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, involuntary manslaughter, accidents involving death or injury while not properly licensed, and reckless endangerment.

He was arraigned before a district judge and committed to the county prison in Snydersville in lieu of $100,000 straight cash bail. A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for Friday, Oct. 1, at 8:45 a.m. before DJ Anthony D. Fluegel of Tobyhanna.