Driver in Crash that Killed Walnuttown, PA, Chiefs Remains Jailed
The man charged vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter after his car crashed into a Walnuttown Fire Company utility vehicle on April 4 on Route 222, claiming the lives of two volunteer firefighters, has waived his preliminary hearing.
Alexander Sepulveda Rivera, 26, no permanent address, was returned to Berks County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail to face further court action following his appearance Thursday before District Judge Gail M. Greth in Fleetwood.
Sepulveda Rivera faces two counts each of homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter along with single counts each of hit-and-run, DUI and related offenses.
The charges were filed by Fleetwood police, who provide coverage to Richmond Township where the crash occurred.
Walnuttown Fire Company, a small volunteer fire company just outside of Fleetwood in Richmond Township, lost its two top leaders.
Chief Jeff Buck, 60, died after being transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. Assistant Chief Robert Shick Jr., 56, died in Reading Hospital.
According to court records:
Buck and Shick were on a utility task vehicle, or UTV, facing north on the southbound shoulder of Route 222 when the crash happened shortly before 6 p.m. just south of Berkleigh Country Club.
Evidence and witness statements indicated the car driven by Sepulveda Rivera was weaving as it traveled south from the area of the Kutztown Bypass. The car went onto the shoulder and struck the UTV.
Sgt. Thomas Focht of Fleetwood police arrived to find the car with heavy front-end damage against a utility pole. The UTV was on its side with both firefighters still in it.
A witness saw a young man and a woman who appeared to be about 40 get out of the car and flee to nearby Krause Road. Officers responded and detained the pair after a witness called 911 to report seeing them walking on Krause not far from the crash.
Sepulveda Rivera was taken to the Northern Berks Regional police station in Ontelaunee Township for an interview. He said he had smoked marijuana at about 9 a.m., and the marijuana and crack pipe found in the car were his.
Based on the totality of circumstances, police determined he was under the influence of a substance that rendered him incapable of safe driving.
Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams, during an April 7 press conference in the Walnuttown fire station, said the passenger doesn’t face charges based on the facts from the investigation, which is ongoing.
Adams said Sepulveda Rivera had two outstanding bench warrants from Berks County Court and was immediately sent to the county jail upon his arrest.
Sepulveda Rivera’s prior criminal involvement includes drug and firearms offenses. Though he has a mailing address in Bronx, N.Y., he has been living in Reading for years, Adams said.
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