A 31-year-old man was ordered to face trial for a fatal Bristol Township crash that claimed the lives of a couple from Connecticut earlier this year.
John Thomas Wadlinger Jr., of Croydon, appeared before Magisterial District Judge Kevin P. Wagner for a preliminary hearing Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Criminal Justice Center, said in online court documents.
Six witnesses, including three law enforcement officers, testified that Wadlinger was speeding through a traffic intersection at Ford Road and Veterans Highway on Feb. 24 and crashed into a car, killing Rebecca Whiddon, 33, and Richard Whiddon, 37, both of Brooklyn, Conn., said Bucks County District Attorney’s Office officials.
The investigation found that Wadlinger was under the influence of methamphetamine and amphetamine and was driving 73 mph, more than twice the posted speed limit, when he crashed at 1:32 p.m. in the intersection of Ford Road and Veterans Highway in Bristol Township, police said.
Wagner found that enough evidence was presented to send the case to the Court of Common Pleas. Wadlinger faces more than three dozen charges, including two counts each of homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, and involuntary manslaughter, said Manuel Gamiz Jr., spokesman for the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
His formal arraignment was scheduled for Aug. 30.
The investigation found that a Nissan Sentra, occupied by four people, was heading westbound on Ford Road and was attempting to make a left turn onto southbound Veteran’s Highway when it was struck by a black Ford Explorer, driven by Wadlinger, traveling east on Ford Road at an excessively high rate of speed.
The Whiddons were killed at the scene, and the driver and another occupant of the Nissan sustained significant injuries.
Wadlinger fled the scene on foot before police arrived, stole a dump truck and drove off. After crashing the dump truck, Wadlinger again fled on foot, but was taken into custody a short time later.
This case was investigated by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, the Bristol Township Police Department, and the Plumstead Township Police Department, and is assigned for prosecution to Deputy District Attorney Christine Sassane and Assistant District Attorney Andrew Bukowski.
