Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Plymouth Township Police Chief John C. Myrsiades have announced the arrest of Andres Marin, 48, of Plymouth Meeting, on charges of Involuntary Manslaughter, Homicide By Vehicle and other charges related to the death of a 7-year-old girl caused by falling from the back of a truck on Tuesday, August 22nd at approximately 8:00 p.m.
In a joint investigation into the child’s death by the Plymouth Township Police and Montgomery County Detectives it was found that found through interviews with the children, home surveillance video, and other investigative means that the girl along with four other neighborhood children, ages six to 11, were riding their bikes and scooters outside when they asked Marin, who was a neighbor, to give them a ride in
the back of his white 1996 Subaru Sambar truck. Marin has taken neighborhood children for
rides in the unique-looking truck on other occasions.
The five children got into the bed of the Sambar truck, which has sidewalls that measure just 11.5 inches tall, and were driving around the neighborhood, with the children moving around the back of the truck bed. The investigation found that 7-year-old leaned over the sidewall, fell and struck her head on the pavement, then was run over by the truck.
According to the investigators, Marin picked up the injured girl, drove to her parents’ house, then drove the girl and her father to Einstein Montgomery County, arriving at 8:14 p.m. The 7-year-old girl was
pronounced dead at 8:43 p.m.
An autopsy on the girl’s body was completed by Dr. Kahlil Wardak of the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, who determined that the cause of death was blunt impact injuries and the manner of death was homicide.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of this little girl, who died due to the
defendant’s complete disregard of the danger in allowing young children to ride in the open
bed of a pick-up truck, especially a truck with such low sidewalls. Four other children and their
families are also greatly impacted by their friend’s death, and we feel for them as well,” said
District Attorney Steele. “This activity by the defendant was illegal, it was dangerous, and he should have
known that it was just a matter of time until one of these ‘fun’ rides ended tragically.”
Marin turned himself in on September 5th and was arraigned on charges of Involuntary
Manslaughter, Homicide by Vehicle, Endangering the Welfare of Children (five counts),
Reckless Endangerment (five counts), Passengers in an Open Truck (five counts) and
Careless Driving by Magisterial District Judge Albert J. Augustine, who set bail at $50,000
unsecured. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 19th at 1:00 p.m., Sept. 19, 2023, before Magisterial District Judge Jodi Lukens Griffis.
Photos: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office