BERKS COUNTY, Pa. — Two Walnuttown firefighters were killed in a head-on crash on Route 222 just before 6 p.m. Saturday.
Authorities said Fire Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shick were riding in a UTV on the shoulder when an oncoming car swerved and struck them head-on. The firefighters were returning from a search for a missing woman, according to Lt. Ryan Tyson of Walnuttown Fire and Rescue.
Alexander Sepulveda-Rivera, 26, of the Bronx, New York, was identified as the car's driver, according to charging documents. A witness reported two people fled the striking vehicle after the crash; officers detained both and identified Sepulveda-Rivera as the driver.
In an interview with police, Sepulveda-Rivera said he fell asleep while driving. He told officers he smoked marijuana around 9 a.m. and acknowledged owning a crack pipe found by police; officers also recovered suspected marijuana in the vehicle, according to charging documents.
Police said Sepulveda-Rivera did not have a driver's license and had an active warrant. He was taken to a hospital for a legal blood draw before transport to Berks County Central Processing.
According to charging documents filed Sunday, Sepulveda-Rivera faces 21 charges, including two counts of homicide by vehicle while DUI, two counts of homicide by vehicle, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, DUI, driving without a license, and failure to stop and render aid.
Autopsies for Buck and Shick were scheduled for Monday, the Coroner's Office said. The investigation is ongoing.