SHARE

NJ Woman Plows Into First Responders Killing Firefighter At Scene Of I-76 DUI Crash

A South Jersey woman plowed her Jeep into three first responders at the scene of a DUI crash on Interstate 76 in Pennsylvania Saturday morning, killing one firefighter and injuring two others and a state trooper, authorities said.

Thomas Royds

Thomas Royds

Photo Credit: Clifton Heighst Fire

Troopers and firefighters were at the scene of a crash involving a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu and 2017 Nissan Altima in the right shoulder of the westbound side around 3:05 a.m., PSP Trooper William Butler said.

That's when a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Jacquelyn Walker, of Pemberton, drove up the right shoulder hitting a state trooper, the Altima and three firefighters from Belmont Hills and Gladwyne fire companies in the shoulder of the Schuykill Expressway near Waverly Road, authorities said.

The trooper and two firefighters were transported by PennSTAR and JeffSTAT medical helicopters and ground ambulance to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in West Philadelphia with severe injuries, Butler said.

Belmont Hills firefighter Thomas Royds was transported by ambulance to Paoli Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Royds was a paid firefighter at Union Fire Association and a volunteer with the Clifton Heights FD. His grandfather was a founding member of BHFC.

Walker was arrested at the scene and charged with homicide by vehicle and related offenses.

The other two drivers, of King of Prussia and Pottstown, were charged with DUI.

to follow Daily Voice Montgomery and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE