Route 422 Racing Suspect Pleads Guilty To Homicide By Vehicle

NORRISTOWN, PA — One of the suspects involved in the fatal Route 422 racing crash in May has pleaded guilty in connection to the incident.

Evaughn-Sha Antonio Walters, 21, pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle in Montgomery County Court on Thursday, the District Attorney's office confirmed.

Walters, of Washington, D.C. was racing against Shone Santiago, 22, who was arrested just before Walters back in May.

The pair were racing at speeds at least in excess of 120 miles per hour when Santiago lost control of his BWM and crashed through a guard rail, landing the car on its hood at the bottom of a ravine, officials said.

The crash led to the deaths of three passengers in Santiago's car: Anthony Rodriguez, 23, Marissa Kelly, 20, and Kelly's unborn child, the DA's office said.

The speed limit on that section of 422, which is a work zone, is 40 miles per hour.

"Two people and an unborn fetus died," said Deputy District Attorney Thomas W. McGoldrick, who prosecuted the case. "It's tragic, and it's made all the more tragic because it was caused by the sustained reckless behavior of car racing. Today, the defendant took responsibility for his actions and showed remorse."

A cell phone video showed Santiago and Walters racing on Route 100 at speeds in excess of 140 miles per hour just minutes before the fatal crash.

Sentencing is forthcoming over the next two to three months, authorities said.

Charges against Santiago include two counts of third degree murder, third degree murder of an unborn child, two counts of homicide by vehicle, and related counts.

Image via Montgomery County District