The Saturday afternoon crash that claimed the lives of a couple from Connecticut remains under investigation by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Bristol Township Police Department.
The crash happened at 1:32 p.m. Saturday in the intersection of Ford Road and Veterans Highway in Bristol Township.
The investigation found that a Nissan Sentra was attempting to make a left turn onto southbound Veteran’s Highway when it was struck by a black Ford Explorer traveling through the intersection at a high rate of speed.
Two of the four occupants of the Nissan Sentra were deceased upon police arrival, the DAs office said, and the driver and third occupant sustained injuries. The deceased were identified as Rebecca Whiddon, 33, and Richard Whiddon, 37, both of Brooklyn, Conn.
The DAs office said the driver of a black Ford Explorer fled the accident scene on foot before police arrived, stole a dump truck parked on Old Rodgers Road, and drove off. Police followed the dump truck, but when it crashed, the driver again fled on foot. He was taken into custody a short time later.
The driver was identified as John Thomas Wadlinger Jr., 31, of Croydon. He was transported to Bucks County Correctional Facility and is being held without bail on a state parole violation. The investigation is ongoing. All applicable charges against him will be filed at the appropriate time, the DAs office said.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
