{"id":5105,"date":"2025-10-17T02:34:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T02:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/5105\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T02:34:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T02:34:16","slug":"bethlehem-man-faces-11-years-in-prison-for-fatal-2024-dui-crash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/5105\/","title":{"rendered":"Bethlehem man faces 11+ years in prison for fatal 2024 DUI crash"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 26-year-old Bethlehem <\/a>man was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for a summer 2024 drunken-driving crash<\/a> that killed his front-seat passenger.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday afternoon, Matthew Angel Torres was sentenced by Northampton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Paula A. Roscioli to serve four to 11 years, eight months in the death of 24-year-old Leanna Farraj of Brooklyn, New York.<\/p>\n

Torres pleaded guilty July 15 to charges of felony homicide by vehicle while DUI; misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter; and misdemeanor DUI high rate of alcohol. Several charges were withdrawn in a plea arrangement, including a felony homicide by vehicle charge; misdemeanor reckless endangerment; and multiple misdemeanor DUI offenses, according to court records.<\/p>\n

The Northampton County Prosecutor\u2019s Office announced the sentencing Thursday. Easton-based defense attorney Paul M. Aaroe II, representing Torres, couldn\u2019t immediately be reached for comment.<\/p>\n

Torres was driving recklessly and speeding when he crashed just after 6:30 p.m. Aug. 4, 2024, in the 1600 block of Stefko Boulevard in Bethlehem, authorities said.<\/p>\n

Torres lost control at a bend in the road, struck a curb and then collided with two utility poles and a parked car. Emergency workers removed Torres from the vehicle, city police said.<\/p>\n

Farraj was pronounced dead at the scene. Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said she died from multiple blunt-force injuries.<\/p>\n

An investigation later determined that Torres had alcohol and marijuana in his blood at the time of the crash.<\/p>\n

The case was investigated by Bethlehem police and prosecuted by Northampton County Deputy District Attorney Joseph Lupackino.<\/p>\n

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