Bethlehem Twp. man charged in death of 20-year-old who was riding on trunk of moving vehicle, DA says | Bethlehem Area

BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. – A Bethlehem Township man is facing charges in the death of a 20-year-old who fell onto the road and died after riding on the trunk of a moving vehicle.

Zachary Warren Barndt is charged with Accidents Involving Death, Homicide by Vehicle, Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, Involuntary Manslaughter, and additional offenses, the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

Daniel Maffea was riding on the trunk of the vehicle Barndt was driving, the DA’s office said.

The Bethlehem Township Police responded to Madison Boulevard for an initial report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on May 22 shortly before 6 p.m., according to the DA’s office.

Officers determined that Maffea was riding on the trunk of a moving white sedan when he fell onto the roadway, according to the news release.

The DA’s office said first responders found Maffea unresponsive with a severe head injury and immediately took him to a nearby hospital. Maffea later died from his injury.

Witnesses at the scene identified Zachary Barndt as the white sedan’s driver, the DA’s office said. Barndt initially left the scene but later returned in the white sedan, authorities said.

According to the DA’s office, video from a nearby business showed riding on the trunk of the vehicle with his back against the rear windshield.

As the vehicle entered the intersection on Madison Boulevard, Maffea fell from the vehicle and struck his head on the roadway, rendering him unconscious, according to the DA’s office.

Authorities said Barndt and several passengers got out of the white sedan to check on Maffea.

The DA’s office said Barndt then left the scene to move his vehicle and returned to the scene on foot. As additional police arrived, Barndt is seen walking away from the scene and eventually behind a building out of view on the video, according to the news release.

Barndt was not identified or interviewed by first responders at that time. Later, Barndt returned to the scene, the DA’s office said.

Further investigation revealed Barndt did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the incident, and the white sedan he was driving did not have a current inspection, registration, or proof of insurance.

Barndt was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Robert Kemmerer. Bail was set at $250,000 unsecured.