Pennsylvania State Police have charged a Jim Thorpe man with homicide by vehicle in a crash that killed three people on Route 903 at the intersection with Interstate 476.

The two-vehicle crash occurred Aug. 7, 2021, in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County.

Through investigation which included the Troop N & M Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist (C.A.R.S.) Unit, it was determined that Brett Knoll, driving a black 2010 Jeep Cherokee, was going at an excessive speed that created a hazard. Documents say the Jeep’s speed is considered the primary contributing factor for this collision.”

Police did not release the speed which Knoll was driving, but charge that Knoll drove his vehicle “in a careless disregard for the safety of persons or property at Route 903.”

State police at Fern Ridge said a 2018 red Toyota Camry was traveling north on Route 903 at 8 p.m. and attempted to make a left turn on Route 476 North.

Troopers said Knoll, 38, was traveling south on Route 903, when the two collided.

The collision resulted in three fatalities from the Camry, driven by Bryan Nissen, 30, of Morris Plains, New Jersey. Police said Nissen and Knoll were both taken to Lehigh Valley-Cedar Crest.

Two passengers in the Camry were pronounced dead at the scene by Carbon County Coroner Bob Miller. They were Joseph William Riggio, Jr., 30 of Parlin, New Jersey, who was ejected, and Nicholas Nissen, 25, of South Amboy, New Jersey, who was partially ejected.

A third passenger in the Camry, Michael Guezara, 31, from Bayonne, New Jersey, was flown to Geisinger, where he died.

Police said Knoll was taken into custody and was arraigned on Friday on three counts of homicide by vehicle, four counts of aggravated assault by vehicle and numerous summary traffic violations. He was released on $100,000 unsecured bail.