Cedric Galette, 47, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to six to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of a controlled substance and DUI, The Pottstown Mercury reported.
He was arrested in October 2024 for the September 18, 2024 fatal crash in the Melrose Park section of Cheltenham Township that killed 28-year-old Troy Rivera, the son of Cheltenham High School football coach Troy Gore.
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.
Other charges of reckless driving and summary traffic violations, including exceeding speed limits and failure to stop at red signal, were dismissed as part of the plea agreement, The Mercury said.
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Photo: Montco DA