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High-Speed Wrong-Way PA Driver Arrested After Route 15 Crash That Injured 6: Police

A 29-year-old Mechanicsburg man accused of driving the wrong way on Route 15 at over 100 mph, slamming into multiple vehicles, injuring six people including two children, and punching an EMT, has been arrested, Upper Allen Township Police announced late on Friday, April 11.

Jillian Pikora
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Fernando Luis Colon-Torres, of the 600 block of Geneva Drive, faces 38 charges stemming from the violent crash on Friday, Jan. 17, according to court documents.

The chaos began around 4:37 p.m. when Colon-Torres allegedly struck the back of a 2011 Nissan Rogue occupied by a 37-year-old and two young children (ages 4 and 2) at the Capital City Car Wash in Lower Allen Township before fleeing the scene, police said.

Colon-Torres then illegally entered the US Route 15 northbound exit ramp from Lower Allen Drive, driving southbound in the northbound lanes. He sideswiped a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta driven by a 17-year-old and continued driving against traffic for approximately 4.5 miles, authorities said.

107 MPH Impact, 7 Vehicles, 6 Injured

Near mile marker 37.1, Colon-Torres collided with a tractor-trailer, striking both rear driver-side trailer tires. The tractor-trailer driver was not hurt, but investigators determined Colon-Torres was traveling approximately 107 mph at the time of impact, police said.

He then struck a black Toyota Tundra (driver uninjured), a blue Toyota RAV4 (driver sustained a concussion), and a silver Toyota RAV4 carrying a 73-year-old and two children, ages 9 and 6, causing several substantial injuries to all three victims.

Colon-Torres' vehicle ultimately came to rest along the center median after the engine detached due to the crashes, police said.

Assault On EMT, THC Detected

While being treated at the scene, Colon-Torres allegedly punched a 26-year-old EMT in the face, causing a bloody nose and facial bruising. Colon-Torres himself sustained multiple substantial injuries.

Toxicology testing later revealed Colon-Torres had THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in his bloodstream.

Arraignment, Bail, Upcoming Hearing

Colon-Torres was charged on Tuesday, April 7and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Mark Martin on Friday, April 11 at 3 p.m. He was committed to Cumberland County Prison on $35,000 bail after being unable to post bail.

He faces the following charges:

  • Three counts of felony aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI.
  • One count of felony aggravated assault to designated individuals for attacking the EMT.
  • Three counts of felony aggravated assault by vehicle.
  • One count of felony accidents involving death or personal injury.
  • Multiple counts of misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, simple assault, DUI (drugs), accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property, disorderly conduct, and summary reckless driving.
  • Several counts of failing to stop and render aid.

Colon-Torres is being represented by public defender Lindsey Renard Mountain, and the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Martin.

Upper Allen Police credited the Lower Allen Township Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit, Cumberland County Forensic Laboratory, PennDOT, Penn State Health Life Lion EMS, and local fire crews for assisting at the chaotic scene.

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