LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — A Lancaster man was arrested yesterday for his alleged role in an illegal street race on Route 30 that killed 22-year-old Thomas Hartenstine in June.
Police say Brandon Caleb Gentile, 20, originally claimed that he was not involved in the race and was casually driving on the highway when he saw Hartenstine's motorcycle speeding and tried to stay out of the way. Witnesses at the scene contradicted this, reporting that the motorcycle and Gentile's white Subaru were racing moments before the three-vehicle crash occurred. Police did not specify if the third vehicle involved in the crash was also a part of the race.
Officers say surveillance cameras along Route 30 showed Gentile's car driving at high rates of speed and passing vehicles in an unsafe manner consistent with two individuals engaged in an illegal street race on a highway. A search warrant of Gentile’s Subaru found that just before the crash, he was traveling more than 125 mph in the posted 55 mph zone. Gentile had previously told police that he had sped up to 80 mph before the crash, officers said.
The search warrant also allegedly revealed a THC vape pen in the center cupholder of Gentile's car. Two bags were found in the trunk containing multiple used vape pens; a digital scale with residue on it; a loaded, black, unbranded 9mm handgun with no serial number attached; six glassine bags with suspected drug residue; two boxes of 9mm ammunition; a clear container with white powder residue; and a multi-color silicone container with 12 alprazolam pills, according to officers.
Gentile was not authorized to possess the THC vape pen or pills and did not have a license to carry guns, police said.
A state-certified inspection mechanic allegedly determined that there were no mechanical defects on Gentile’s vehicle that would have factored into the crash. Additionally, the state inspection and state emissions of the car both expired on April 23.
Police set up an arrest by appointment with Gentile on Dec. 28. He was released after posting $150,000 bail, the Manheim Township Police Department said.
