Zachary Warren Barndt, of Bethlehem Township, is charged with Accidents Involving Death, Homicide by Vehicle, Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, Involuntary Manslaughter, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Careless Driving – Unintentional Death, Driving Without a License, and multiple traffic offenses in connection with the death of Daniel J. Maffea, according to Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta.
The charges stem from a crash at about 5:50 p.m. on Friday, May 22, on Madison Boulevard in the Madison Farms Shopping Center in Bethlehem Township. Investigators said Maffea was riding on the trunk of a moving white sedan driven by Barndt when he fell onto the roadway and suffered a catastrophic head injury.
Police initially responded to reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle but determined Maffea had fallen from the moving sedan. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital-Anderson Campus, where he died a week later, on Friday, May 29. The Northampton County Coroner ruled his death an accident caused by blunt force head trauma.
Investigators obtained surveillance video from a nearby business that showed Maffea riding on the closed trunk with his back against the rear windshield as the car entered the Madison Boulevard intersection. The video allegedly shows him falling from the vehicle and striking his head on the roadway, rendering him unconscious.
According to the district attorney, Barndt and several passengers got out to check on Maffea before Barndt drove away to move the vehicle. He later returned on foot, but as more officers arrived, surveillance footage allegedly showed him walking away from the scene and disappearing behind a building before eventually returning. He was not identified or interviewed by first responders at that time, prosecutors said.
The investigation also found Barndt did not have a valid driver's license and that the sedan he was operating was not properly registered or inspected and did not have proof of insurance, according to the district attorney.
Barndt also is charged with the summary offense of Unauthorized Person Hanging on Vehicle, along with additional traffic violations. He was given $250,000 unsecured bail by Magisterial District Judge Robert Kemmerer.
Born in Bethlehem on June 28, 2005, Maffea worked as a landscaper for ABC Lawn & Landscaping and also performed mechanical work and CNC printing for Aluminodi Customs, according to his obituary.
He volunteered with the Fountain Hill Fire Department, enjoyed teaching baseball to children, and was a familiar face at local car shows. His obituary said he lived by the motto, "If I am not tired by the end of the day, I didn't work hard enough."
Family members first asked the public for prayers as Maffea fought for his life in the days following the crash.
"As many of you know my brother Daniel Maffea im deeply distraught to inform you all today he was involved in a severe accident," his sister, Meado Maffea, wrote on Facebook. "If we could please just send a prayer."
After his death, Fountain Hill Fire Company honored Maffea's service and legacy.
"It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of former Firefighter Daniel Maffea, a past member of our department," Fire Chief Lee Reisling wrote in a statement.
"Although Daniel was no longer an active member, he remained a valued part of our fire service family and his time, dedication, and contributions to our organization will not be forgotten."
Friends also remembered Maffea's impact on the firehouse. Fellow firefighter Matt Williamson said Maffea welcomed him into the department, taught him about the fire service, and shared overnight shifts and video game sessions with him.
Maffea's longtime girlfriend, Kadence Leis, said the couple had been together for more than five years.
In a social media tribute, Leis remembered Maffea's impact on those around him, saying he was loved by friends, coworkers, employers, and even strangers who encountered his smile.
"Daniel you were loved by so many," she wrote. "Your friends, your coworkers, your bosses and even the random people you'd flash a smile to walking by."
Maffea's father, Danny Maffea, shared that the family participated in an honor walk at the hospital before Daniel's organs were donated.
"My family and I today walked my son, Daniel Maffea, on an honor walk to donate his organs, where he is helping save other peoples' lives," his father wrote on Facebook. "This is my last proud father moment with him, but he is continuing to help others."
In recognition of that gift, Maffea was honored as a Gift of Life Hero, according to his obituary.
His obituary published by Connell Funeral Home described him as the "life of the party" who brought laughter and joy wherever he went, a sentiment echoed by family, friends, fellow firefighters, and his longtime girlfriend.
Maffea is survived by his father, Danny Maffea; mother, Angela Rader; siblings Aubrey, Meado, Joseph and Cayden; longtime girlfriend of more than five years, Kadence Leis; and numerous other family members and friends.
A public viewing will be held at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 5. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, following a calling hour beginning at 11 a.m.
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