A New Jersey truck driver involved in an October fatal crash was indicted Monday and his charges now include a count of second-degree murder.

William Noah Castaneda made a brief appearance in Halifax County Superior Court today to have an attorney assigned to his case.

Castaneda, who surrendered to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office on December 27 with his attorney, William Jenetta of Halifax, was assigned Scotland Neck attorney Sammy Webb. However, papers were expected to be filed that will keep Jenetta as his lawyer, both attorneys said.

Castaneda, 58, of Elizabeth New Jersey, faces a civil revocation of his license, DWI while driving a commercial vehicle, reckless driving to endanger, second-degree murder and felony death by motor vehicle.

He was wanted in a crash that claimed the life of a 2-month-old child and was initially jailed on $20,000 cash bond following his surrender. He is now in jail on $300,000 bond, according to court records, and is awaiting a January 22 administrative hearing, Jenetta said.

Reginald Best of the Enfield area died after the October 26 chain reaction crash on Interstate 95.

The crash occurred as the family was returning from a trip to Rocky Mount. It began when a motorist struck a 500-pound bear shortly after 12:45 that morning.

The crash occurred in the northbound lane near the 160-mile marker in the Enfield area.

The initial collision caused a second collision and then a third involving five passenger vehicles when Castaneda allegedly failed to reduce speed in his tractor-trailer and plowed into the other vehicles.

The trucker walked away from the crash without injuries but was initially arrested for DWI, reckless driving and felony injury.

Castaneda was released on $4,500 secured bond and was scheduled to appear in court on November 7. He did not appear.

Jenetta said his client went to Guatemala for back treatment.