Colin Wahlers Charged in Fatal DUI Crash Killing Firefighter


A Perkasie man, Colin Wahlers, age 25, faces serious charges in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on June 2 in Hilltown Township. The incident resulted in the tragic death of Joseph Kay, a 35-year-old volunteer firefighter with the Plumsteadville Fire Company. Wahlers has been charged with multiple offenses, including homicide by vehicle while DUI, felony counts of homicide by vehicle, and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer. Additional charges include misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, DUI, and reckless endangerment.

The dramatic events began in the early hours of June 2 when Hilltown Police noticed an unregistered Polaris vehicle on Green Street at its intersection with Mill Road. The vehicle caught the officers’ attention due to its erratic driving, which included veering partially off the road. Concerned about the driver’s potential impairment and the ability to operate the vehicle safely, the police attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

Instead of complying, the driver, later identified as Wahlers, chose to flee the scene. The vehicle sped down Green Street and attempted a right turn onto Rickerts Road. However, Wahlers lost control during the maneuver, causing the vehicle to flip. The violent rollover partially ejected both occupants. Tragically, Joseph Kay, the passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene due to blunt force trauma, as confirmed by an autopsy conducted on June 5.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office released a statement expressing their condolences to Kay’s family and acknowledging his service as a volunteer firefighter. “We would like to extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Kay, who had been a volunteer firefighter for the Plumsteadville Fire Company,” read a portion of the release.

Wahlers, who sustained minor injuries in the crash, refused medical treatment at the scene. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. before Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage. As the criminal complaint documenting the allegations and details will not be made public until the arraignment, more information will become available at that time.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with impaired driving. Although Wahlers is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the charges against him are severe and reflect the significant consequences of his alleged actions. The community mourns the loss of Joseph Kay, a dedicated volunteer who served selflessly with the Plumsteadville Fire Company.

Impaired driving not only endangers the lives of those behind the wheel but also poses a significant threat to passengers, pedestrians, and other road users. Law enforcement agencies continually emphasize the importance of responsible driving, particularly when it comes to avoiding alcohol and drugs before getting behind the wheel.

The arraignment process will shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the crash and the subsequent charges. In the meantime, the community is left grappling with the loss of a valued member and the harsh reality of the consequences of impaired driving.

In conclusion, this case underscores the critical need for stringent adherence to traffic laws and the importance of making responsible choices. The legal proceedings will determine the course of justice for Colin Wahlers, but the loss of Joseph Kay is a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the far-reaching impact of reckless behavior on the road.

By | August 2, 2024
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“Colin Wahlers Charged with DUI Homicide in Crash Killing Firefighter Joseph Kay”.

A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Hilltown Township on June 2, where a Perkasie man named Colin Wahlers has been charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI. This tragedy took the life of Joseph Kay, a dedicated volunteer firefighter with the Plumsteadville Fire Company. Wahlers, who is 25, faces serious charges, including felony counts of homicide by vehicle and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer. He also has misdemeanor charges like involuntary manslaughter, DUI, and reckless endangerment.

So, what exactly happened? According to Hilltown Police, they spotted an unregistered Polaris vehicle on Green Street around 1 a.m. and tried to pull it over after noticing it veering off the road. They suspected the driver might be impaired. Instead of stopping, the vehicle sped off and attempted a right turn onto Rickerts Road but lost control and flipped over. Both Wahlers and Kay were partially ejected from the vehicle. Sadly, Kay, aged 35, was pronounced dead at the scene due to blunt force trauma.

The police press release extended condolences to Kay’s family, highlighting his service as a volunteer firefighter. Wahlers sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment. He is set to be arraigned, and more information will be available after that. Remember, everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty. This story is based on public court records.

Man charged with homicide by vehicle, DUI in crash that killed volunteer firefighter

A Perkasie man has been charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI in connection with a June 2 crash in Hilltown Township that killed a volunteer firefighter with Plumsteadville Fire Company.

Colin Wahlers, 25, has also been charged with felony counts of homicide by vehicle and fleeing or attempting to elude officer, along with misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, DUI, and reckless endangerment, court records show. Wahlers is scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage.

Hilltown Police said they initially spotted an unregistered Polaris vehicle on Green Street at the intersection with Mill Road at 1 a.m. on June 2 and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, after observing the vehicle veer partially off the road. Police said they had “concerns of possible impairment and the driver’s ability to safely operate the vehicle,” according to a June press release from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

The vehicle then fled down Green Street and attempted to make a right turn on Rickerts Road, but the driver lost control and flipped the vehicle, according to investigators. Both occupants of the vehicle were partially ejected in the rollover crash, with the passenger — identified as 35-year-old Joseph Kay, of Hilltown — being pronounced dead at the scene.

The press release noted that Kay was a volunteer firefighter with Plumsteadville Fire Company.

“We would like to extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Kay, who had been a volunteer firefighter for the Plumsteadville Fire Company,” reads a portion of the release.

The driver, now identified as Wahlers, suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment, investigators said. An autopsy on June 5 listed Kay’s cause of death as blunt force trauma.

More information will be available once Wahlers is arraigned, as the criminal complaint documenting the allegations and details is not publicly available until that time.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.

What Happened in Hilltown Township on June 2?

A tragic incident unfolded in Hilltown Township on June 2, when an unregistered Polaris vehicle crashed, resulting in the death of a volunteer firefighter. According to North Penn Now, the victim, identified as 35-year-old Joseph Kay, was a dedicated volunteer firefighter with the Plumsteadville Fire Company. The driver, Colin Wahlers, a 25-year-old man from Perkasie, now faces serious charges, including homicide by vehicle while DUI.

What Are the Charges Against Colin Wahlers?

Wahlers has a slew of charges against him, reflecting the gravity of the incident. He is charged not only with homicide by vehicle while DUI but also faces felony counts of homicide by vehicle and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer. Additionally, he has been charged with misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, DUI, and reckless endangerment. According to court records, Wahlers is scheduled for arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m.

How Did the Police Come Across Wahlers?

Hilltown Police first noticed Wahlers’ unregistered Polaris vehicle on Green Street at the intersection with Mill Road around 1 a.m. on June 2. According to a press release from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, officers observed the vehicle veering partially off the road, which immediately raised red flags about the driver’s sobriety and ability to operate the vehicle safely.

What Happened During the Pursuit?

When officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop due to their concerns, Wahlers decided to flee. He sped down Green Street and tried to make a right turn onto Rickerts Road but lost control of the vehicle. The Polaris flipped over, causing both Wahlers and his passenger, Joseph Kay, to be partially ejected from the vehicle. According to investigators, Kay was pronounced dead at the scene, while Wahlers suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment.

What Was the Cause of Death for Joseph Kay?

An autopsy conducted on June 5 revealed that Kay died from blunt force trauma. The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office expressed their condolences to Kay’s family, acknowledging his service as a volunteer firefighter for the Plumsteadville Fire Company. Their statement highlighted the significant loss to the community and extended sympathy to those affected.

What Happens Next?

The legal process will continue as Wahlers faces arraignment and subsequent court proceedings. More detailed information is expected to be available once he is formally arraigned, as the criminal complaint documenting the allegations and specifics of the incident will be made public at that time. It’s crucial to remember that all suspects and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This story was compiled using public court records.

The case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and their communities. The loss of Joseph Kay, a dedicated volunteer firefighter, has left a void in the Plumsteadville Fire Company and among his loved ones. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community watches closely, hoping for justice and accountability.