The district attorney reports that a 25-year-old man has been charged with multiple offenses after he is said to have fled police in Bucks County on June 2 and wrecked a utility task vehicle, killing his passenger.
According to the Bucks County district attorney’s office, Colin John Wahlers, of Perkasie, was arraigned on Friday on charges of involuntary manslaughter, fleeing or attempting to avoid police, and homicide by vehicle while operating under the influence.
Joseph Kay, 35, was riding with Wahlers in a Polaris Ranger side-by-side, which the DA referred to as a “off-highway utility vehicle,” at the time of the collision. Just before one in the morning, the DA claims that Wahlers was observed driving recklessly by a Hilltown Township police officer at the intersection of Route 152 and Hilltown Pike.
In the 1900 block of Mill Road, the officer observed Wahlers drive over a patch of grass, run a stop sign, and veer off the road. The DA claimed the officer then attempted to pull Wahlers over.
Wahlers turned onto Green Street and allegedly continued to speed. The DA’s narrative claims that Wahlers lost control of the vehicle while turning onto Rickert Road at a high speed, causing it to flip.
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Wahlers and Kay were ejected from the car together, and according to the DA, Kay was given medical assistance but passed away there. Kay had served as a volunteer fireman for Plumsteadville Fire Company in the past.
The DA stated that testing revealed Wahlers’ blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit for operating a vehicle, and that an inquiry into the car revealed no technical issues that would have contributed to the collision.
Additionally, according to the DA’s office, Wahlers was charged with five traffic charges, including reckless driving, operating a vehicle without a license, and driving at unsafe speeds.
Wahlers posted bail on Friday and was let free.
