A Philadelphia man was in Monroe County Court this week on charges of homicide by motor vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Mark Anthony Rideout Jr., 36, was bound over for Monroe County Court of Common Pleas scheduling following a preliminary hearing held this week before Magisterial District Judge Paul Gasper of Stroudsburg.

He was the driver of a truck that crossed lanes of Route 33 in Hamilton Township on March 1, 2023, striking several vehicles and claiming the lives of three people.

The case is being tried by Major Case Prosecutor Curtis Rogers. Rideout was arrested by Trooper Paul Nye of the state police barracks at Stroudsburg.

In addition to the homicide while DUI charges, Rideout is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, involuntary manslaughter, careless driving – unintentional death, reckless driving, careless driving, failure to drive at a safe speed and disregarding a traffic lane.

During testimony before Gasper, police said Rideout was operating a tractor trailer between 70-79 mph. in a 55 mph. zone on Rt. 33 just before the crash.

Video showed the truck traveling southbound before Rideout lost control of it, with the truck crashing through the guide rail, entering the northbound lane, and striking several vehicles.

One of the vehicles was a 2021 Kia in which both the driver, Samantha Crich, and her passenger, Elizabeth, died from the blunt force trauma. A Chevrolet Cruze was also struck, killing its driver, Bryan Franco.

Testimony showed Rideout admitted at the scene that he was driving the vehicle. He was not injured. Police said although he denied use of alcohol or drugs, he was at times not able to maintain his balance, appeared confused, and utilized troopers on scene to steady and support himself.

Field sobriety testing indicated a degree of impairment which would render him incapable of safe driving. The subsequent toxicology test showed blood positive for marijuana.

In holding the charges for court, the magistrate scheduled Rideout’s arraignment for Jan. 17, 2025. He remains incarcerated in the Monroe County Correctional Institute, Snydersville, without bail.