Berks Driver Charged With Homicide For Fatal Caernarvon Crash: Police

A Berks County man was charged with vehicular homicide for a fatal high-speed crash in Caernarvon Township on Monday, Sept. 30, according to police.

Matthew Slauch and a map view of the intersection of the fatal crash he is accused of causing.
Photo Credit: *Caernarvon Township Police Department/Google Maps*

Merriell Moyer

10/02/2024 12:52 p.m.

Matthew Slauch, 23, of Birdsboro, is accused of causing the death of Scott Wagner, 64, of Reinholds, who was killed in a crash at the intersection of Morgantown and Elverson roads that happened on Thursday, June 6, Caernarvon Township Police said.

Police were able to piece together the events leading to the crash thanks to their investigation of the scene and several witnesses who described Slauch driving 76 mph in a posted 55 mph zone and illegally passing vehicles on Morgantown Road, police said. There was a point before the crash when police determined that he was driving over 100 mph.

The two-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Morgantown and Elverson roads at 8:02 a.m. Thursday, June 6, police said. The crash was a rollover with entrapment.

At the time, police said the roads in the area of the crash would be closed "for an extended time period" while they investigated.

Wagner was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Slauch was taken to Reading Hospital.

Slauch turned himself over to the Caernarvon Township Police after a warrant was issued for his arrest on Monday, Sept. 30, according to police. Slauch was charged with:

Felony Homicide by Vehicle.
Felony Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury While not Properly Licensed.
Misdemeanor Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
Summary Driving Vehicle at Safe Speed.
Summary Driving While Operating Privilege is Suspended or Revoked.
Summary Drivers Required to be Licensed.
Summary No Passing Zone.
Summary Reckless Driving.
Summary Limitations on Overtaking on the Left.

He was released on $75,000 as set by Judge Michael D. Kaufman at his preliminary arraignment the day he was arrested, according to his latest court docket.

Slauch has a criminal record, previously serving one year of probation for Harassment in 2021, according to his previous dockets.

His preliminary hearing is set before Judge Kaufman at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, as shown on his most recent docket.

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