Two Walnuttown Fire Officers Killed in Reckless Traffic Accident
Photo by KEN SNYDERAn entourage of two hearses and fire vehicles arrived in Cetronia for autopsies to be held at the Lehigh County Coroner's Office and Forensic Center. Along the route from Berks County into Lehigh County, numerous fire companies stood at attention as the entourage passed by, including some with aerial ladders arched.
Photo by KEN SNYDEROn Monday, the entourage began to return to a Kutztown funeral home amid similar honorary conditions of companies paying their respect along the route.
Photo by KEN SNYDERA standby company fills in while the Walnuttown Fire Co. was placed out of service due to the passing of the Chief and Assistant Chief.
WALNUTTOWN, PA - On April 4th, Walnuttown Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Chief Robert Schick had joined forces with others who were searching for a missing 60-year-old woman. They were in the company's UTV along the side of 14577 Kutztown Rd (Rt. 222) in Richmond Twp.,when they were struck head-on and killed by an out-of-control weaving Toyota Camry.
The male driver and his 46-year-old female companion immediately tried to flee the scene, but were caught by the police. The 26-year-old perpetrator was Alexander Sepulveda Rivera from the Bronx. He had been recklessly driving on the highway before striking the UTV.
Rivera told the police that he had fallen asleep at the wheel and that the crash woke him up. On the day of the incident, he allegedly had smoked marijuana and the police confirmed that a crack pipe found in the car was Rivera's. Also of note, he was driving without a license and had an outstanding warrant.
The missing woman was found later that day. Governor Josh Shipiro ordered that the flag be half staffed to honor the fallen firefighters.
No information from the author.