Monroe man charged in fatal auto crash

A Monroe County man was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 16, and later jailed on charges stemming from a fatal automobile crash that occurred earlier this year.

State police at Fern Ridge said Robert P. Steinmetz, 39, of Saylorsburg, was arrested at his home on charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence (DUI), homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, DUI of alcohol or a controlled substance, careless driving, reckless driving and several other summary violatios.

He was arraigned before a district judge and committed to the county prison in Snydersville in lieu of $75,000 straight bail.

Troopers said the crash occurred about 1:30 p.m. on May 11 along SR209 just north of the Chestnuthill Diner, in Chestnuthill Township. Troopers said Steinmetz was driving a1999 Chevrolet Lumina southbound and entered the northbound lane colliding into a 1998 Dodge Stratus driven by Dale William Dennis, 48, of Bartonsville.

Dennis died of his injuries on July 5, troopers said.