ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A Monroe County man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he struck a child and her grandmother in a marked crosswalk in downtown Allentown before leaving the scene and returning approximately 20 minutes later.
According to the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, Tyler Allan Monzietti, 24, of Tobyhanna, has been charged with felony counts of Aggravated Assault by Vehicle and Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury – Serious Bodily Injury/Death, along with misdemeanor counts of Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of May 16 at the intersection of North 6th and West Hamilton streets in Allentown.
Investigators say surveillance video showed Monzietti leaving a bar and restaurant near North 7th and Hamilton streets around 5:40 p.m. and getting into his Jeep parked along West Hamilton Street.
According to the DA’s office, Monzietti was stopped at a red light in the right-hand lane of West Hamilton Street at North 6th Street with his left turn signal activated. A Ford SUV was stopped beside him in the left-hand lane.
At the same time, a child and her grandmother were waiting at the northeast corner of the intersection for the pedestrian signal. When the signal changed to “walk,” the pair entered the crosswalk and began crossing westbound.
Authorities say surveillance footage shows Monzietti accelerating rapidly when the traffic light turned green, allegedly screeching his tires and cutting across the Ford SUV from the right-hand lane in an illegal left turn maneuver.
Investigators said Monzietti narrowly avoided colliding with the SUV before entering the intersection and striking both pedestrians in the crosswalk.
The impact reportedly hit both victims with the front passenger side of the Jeep, throwing them forward into the roadway.
According to prosecutors, video shows Monzietti exiting his vehicle and approaching the injured child, who was bleeding from her face. However, investigators allege he then returned to his Jeep and drove away northbound on North 6th Street.
City surveillance cameras later tracked the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes before Monzietti returned to the scene and identified himself to police.
The child suffered severe facial injuries, including maxillary fractures, a mandibular fracture, and multiple teeth being knocked out. Authorities credited an Allentown police officer with helping preserve several of the child’s teeth by placing them in milk obtained from a nearby restaurant. The DA’s office said the quick action allowed the teeth to later be reattached.
The child’s grandmother suffered abrasions to her hands, fingers, and knee.
An arrest warrant was issued for Monzietti, who surrendered to authorities on Monday.
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Michael D’Amore and released on unsecured bail after agreeing to appear for future court proceedings.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 30 at 3:15 p.m.
