The driver whose car crashed into a side-by-side utility vehicle on Route 222 near Fleetwood over the weekend, fatally injuring two volunteer firefighters, has been charged with vehicular homicide while DUI and involuntary manslaughter.
The driver, Alexander Sepulveda Rivera, 26, of Bronx, N.Y., fled the scene Saturday evening but was caught by police a short time later, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said Monday morning.
Because there were active bench warrants for his arrest, Sepulveda Rivera was immediately taken to Berks County Jail.
Adams said he expects the suspect to be arraigned on the new charges today.
A memorial along Route 222 in Richmond Township pays tribute to Walnuttown Fire Chief Jeffory L. Buck and Assistant Chief Robert R. Shick Jr., who were fatally injured when the side-by-side utility vehicle they were in was struck by a vehicle during a search for a missing woman Saturday. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Sepulveda Rivera faces two counts each of homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter. He also faces hit-and-run, DUI and related offenses. The charges were filed Sunday evening 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 officers in the crash.
Chief Jeffory L. Buck died after being transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. Assistant Chief Robert R. Shick Jr. died in Reading Hospital. Both lived in Maidencreek Township, according to Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel.
Autopsies were scheduled to be performed Monday morning at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center.
According to a release from Stitzel, Buck and Shick were in a side-by-side utility vehicle operated by members of the fire company during a search for a missing person, who was later found. The utility vehicle was northbound on Route 222 in Richmond about 6 p.m. when it collided with a car that was headed in the opposite direction.
The Walnuttown Fire Company announced the deaths on Facebook:
“At this time we would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the Shick and Buck family. The Walnuttown Fire Company is announcing the passing of Fire Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shick. At this time there are no funeral details, but once there are we will update all. Please respect the family and their space at this time. Rest easy chiefs, we got it from here.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday ordered all Pennsylvania and U.S. flags on state facilities, public buildings and grounds across Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff immediately in honor of Buck and Shick.
Shapiro sound the flags shall remain lowered to half-staff until the date of interment, which has not yet been announced. The governor invited all Pennsylvanians to participate in the tribute.