Bail, Court Date Set For Montco Teen Driver Who Killed Man While Speeding: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — The teenager who police said struck and killed a man while driving 70 miles an hour in a 25 MPH zone has been arraigned in Montgomery County court.

Shakim Mendez, 18, of Flourtown had been taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Wilmington, Delaware last week.

Mendez was arraigned on homicide by vehicle charges in the death of 35-year-old Artemio De La Rosa Martinez of Norristown.

Magisterial District Judge Henry Schireson set bail at $50,077 cash, and Mendez was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

A preliminary hearing was set for March 12.

The incident occurred on Nov. 8, 2024 at around 3:20 p.m. on the 6000 block of West Valley Green Road in Whitemarsh Township.

Mendez was driving his Chevy Malibu, which has fake license plates, southbound when he struck Martinez, who was doing landscaping work on the side of the road with his brother, authorities said.

Police said Mendez had his seat reclined at a 49 degree angle at the time of the crash, leaving only seven inches of visible space out of the front windshield, the DA's office found.

Martinez was hit with such force that he was propelled 168 feet through the air and his shoes were found stuck in a tree 36 feet in the air, according to police.

After the crash, Mendez abandoned his Malibu and fled on foot, leaving his driver's license inside the car, the DA said. He ran east on West Valley Green until he was picked up by his brother, but the pair were pulled over and caught by Philadelphia Police at 5:35 p.m.

At the time, he was only charged with fleeing police and released on $50,000 bail. Additional charges of homicide by vehicle were issued on Dec. 2, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. He was not taken into custody until last week.