Two people were killed in a vehicle collision in Bristol Township earlier this year. Now, a 31-year-old man is being charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle while DUI.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office reports that John Thomas Wadlinger has been in custody since February 24 when he allegedly sped through a traffic intersection, hit a car, and killed 33-year-old Rebecca Whiddon and 37-year-old Richard Whiddon.
Wadlinger will be arraigned on two counts each of homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, and involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday. Wadlinger is also facing counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving death or injury, driving on a suspended license, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and more.
It is alleged that Wadlinger was under the influence of methamphetamine and amphetamine and was driving more than twice the posted speed limit at the time of the crash at the intersection of Ford Road and Veterans Highway in Bristol Township.
Authorities say a Nissan Sentra occupied by four people was attempting to make a left turn onto southbound Veteran’s Highway when it was struck by a black Ford Explorer occupied by Wadlinger. Eyewitnesses reportedly told police that the Ford Explorer was “flying”.
The Whiddons succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The driver and another occupant suffered significant injuries. Wadlinger allegedly fled the scene on foot, stole a dump truck, and drove off. Police pursued the dump truck until it crashed and Wadlinger fled on foot. Authorities took him into custody a short time later.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.