Phoenixville Man Charged In Accident That Killed Child

By ANTHONY BELLANO

A Phoenixville man has been charged in connection with a crash that killed a 19-month-old girl and injured several other people last summer, Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Winslow Police Chief Robert Stimelski said on Monday.

Anders Opitz, 19, is charged with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto in connection with a crash on Route 73 near Hays Mill Road in Winslow around 6:30 a.m. on June 29, 2015.

Opitz was driving a 2003 Ford F250 north on Route 73 when he allegedly sideswiped a 2007 Chevy Van that was also heading north, being driven by 60-year-old Michael Nardello, of Berlin.

The Ford then allegedly hit a 2014 Mini Cooper, trapping 64-year-old Landisville resident Joseph Duffy inside. He was rescued by the Winslow Fire Department, and treated at Cooper Hospital.

The Ford then allegedly hit a 2014 Mini Cooper, trapping 64-year-old Landisville resident Joseph Duffy inside.

Ken Matthews, 19, of Phonexville, PA, was in the Accord. He and 28-year-old Michelle Santiago, of Vineland, were both transported to Cooper University Hospital by ambulance.

Santiago’s 19-month-old daughter was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Detectives with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and the Winslow Police Department concluded that Opitz was driving in a reckless manner at the time of the crash.

He was charged on Friday. He surrendered at the Winslow Township Police Department.

He was released after posting $100,000 bail.