A Hazleton man faces homicide by vehicle and other charges nearly a year after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 killed a Shenandoah man. Investigators allege both passenger vehicles were traveling more than 100 mph before the collision.
Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville filed charges on , against Rafael Angel Ceballos, 28, in connection with the , crash that killed Danyel Miller, of Shenandoah.
Ceballos is charged with third-degree felony counts of homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle, a misdemeanor count of involuntary manslaughter, and eight summary traffic offenses.
Fatal Crash on Interstate 81 in Delano Township
The crash occurred around 5:49 p.m. near mile marker 135.5 on Interstate 81 South in Delano Township. It involved a 2024 Honda Civic driven by Ceballos, a 2016 Audi Q5 driven by Miller, and an International tractor-trailer driven by Charvel Prophete, of Columbus, Ohio.
According to an affidavit filed by Trooper Gregory Monaghan, investigators reviewed witness statements, cellphone footage, dashcam recordings and crash data recovered from the vehicles.
Investigators Report Speeds Above 100 MPH
A crash reconstruction determined Ceballos’ Honda was traveling 114.3 mph with the accelerator pedal at 100 percent at the time of its initial impact, according to the affidavit. Investigators reported Miller’s Audi was traveling 112 mph five seconds before impact and 103 mph when it collided with the Honda.
The posted speed limit was 65 mph.
Police allege the Honda and Audi initially were traveling south in the left lane, with Ceballos following Miller. According to the reconstruction, the Honda flashed its lights, moved into the right lane and accelerated to match the Audi’s speed. Investigators concluded both vehicles then continued accelerating to keep pace with each other.
As they approached slower traffic, Miller remained in the left lane while Ceballos drove onto the right shoulder to pass other vehicles, police said.
After passing two vehicles on the shoulder, Ceballos attempted to return to the right travel lane and struck the rear of Prophete’s trailer, according to the affidavit.
The impact sent the Honda into the left lane, where the Audi struck it from behind. Police said the Honda then struck the tractor-trailer a second time before coming to rest in the right lane and shoulder area.
Miller’s Audi entered the grass median and rolled over, ejecting him, before coming to rest on Interstate 81 North, according to investigators. Miller suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office.
Prophete brought the tractor-trailer to a controlled stop on the southbound shoulder.
Witness Statements and Video Reviewed
During an interview at the scene, Ceballos told police the Audi had not been allowing him to pass and that he used the shoulder to get around two vehicles before striking the tractor-trailer while returning to the roadway, according to the affidavit.
One witness told investigators the Honda and Audi appeared to be racing. Another reported seeing the vehicles pass simultaneously, with the Audi in the left lane and the Honda on the shoulder. Police said video recordings corroborated the vehicles’ movements leading up to the crash.
Investigators reported the roadway was dry and the weather was clear. The reconstruction found no evidence that highway conditions or configuration contributed to the crash.
Charges and Court Status
In addition to homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter, Ceballos faces the following summary traffic charges:
- Reckless driving.
- Careless driving resulting in an unintentional death.
- Driving at an unsafe speed.
- Two counts involving lane violations.
- Two counts involving unsafe passing on the right.
- Following too closely.
The case was filed before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli. An arrest warrant has been issued for Ceballos.
All charges are allegations. Ceballos is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.