Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Cheltenham Township Police Chief John Slavin announced today the arrest of Cedric Galette, 47, of Philadelphia, for Homicide by Vehicle–DUI, Reckless Driving and other charges related to the September 18 fatal crash in Cheltenham Township that killed 28-year-old Troy Rivera.
Mr. Rivera was the son of Cheltenham High School football coach Troy Gore.
According to the DA’s announcement, the crash took place at North 5th Street and Cheltenham Avenue in the Melrose Park section of Cheltenham Township. Cheltenham police arrived to find two vehicles, a 2007 silver Cadillac CTS, driven by Galette, and a 2022 black Cadillac SUV, driven by Rivera. Rivera was extricated from his vehicle and transported to Jefferson-Abington Hospital where he died 10 days later. Galette was removed from his vehicle by medical personnel and transported to Jefferson Einstein with serious injuries.
A crash investigation by Cheltenham Township Police and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau found that Galette was driving his silver Cadillac northbound on 5th Street at more than 60 mph in an area with a posted speed limit of 30 mph. The defendant drove with his headlights off through a red light when his vehicle struck Rivera’s black Cadillac SUV, which was traveling westbound on Cheltenham Avenue.
Rivera was legally driving through the intersection during a steady green light. The impact of the crash pushed Rivera’s vehicle into the traffic light pole and utility pole, causing his death. The on-scene examination by investigators found no skid marks in the roadway, which indicate that Galette took no evasive action or braking prior to the crash. The investigation revealed that Galette’s vehicle registration was suspended, and he had no insurance coverage.
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Toxicology testing on Galette’s blood found the presence of Phencyclidine, known more commonly as PCP. Inside Galette’s vehicle, multiple glass jars filled with a wet, leafy substance containing suspected Phencyclidine were recovered.
Galette was arrested on October 29 on charges of Homicide by Vehicle–DUI, Homicide by Vehicle, Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving and charges related to an unregistered vehicle, as well as other summary offenses. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Douglas H. Lavenberg, who set bail at $50,000 cash, with a condition of no driving.
A bail review hearing was held on October 30 before Court of Common Pleas Judge Wendy Rothstein, who declined to change the bail amount. Galette was unable to post bail and was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:00am on November 4 before Magisterial District Judge Emmett Madden. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gwendolyn Kull.
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Photo: Montco DA