Driver in wrong-way fatal DUI admits felonies

A Nov. 4 sentencing hearing was set Tuesday for the driver in the April 23 wrong-way crash that killed Airman 1st Class Fallon Montanucci.

Matthew Joseph Premo, 26, admitted to felony counts of driving under the influence causing death and substantial bodily harm, which carry a maximum prison sentence of 40 years.

The death of Montanucci and severe injury to her sister Avalon are the basis for the charges.

According to court documents a blood draw at the hospital revealed Premo had a blood alcohol content of .266 just over two hours after the collision.

Not only was he driving under the influence of alcohol but information downloaded from the Ford F150 pickup revealed that he was driving at a speed of 102 mph when the collision occurred.

According to court documents, the Montanucci sisters were southbound on Highway 395 at around 4 a.m. as Premo drove north at speeds of 90-100 mph.

Premo drove the pickup loaded with concrete supplies north in the southbound lanes from the intersection with Highway 88.

He has been in custody since May 10 after he was released from the hospital with his own injuries.

According to documents, Premo has previous convictions of driving under the influence in 2013 and 2017, this is his third DUI offense.