Intoxication is believed to have been a factor in the violent crash that killed two Bensalem residents on Route 1 in Falls Township early Sunday.
Driver David Sochalski, 30, and front-seat passenger Carmen Cedeno, 42, both of Bensalem, were killed in the multi-vehicle crash that happened around 2 a.m. between the Oxford Valley and Route 13 exits on southbound Route 1, police said. A backseat passenger their the car – Luis Mendez, 44, of Bensalem – was reported Monday to be in serious condition following the crash.
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Alexander Skroumbelos, 35, of Trenton, was driving his vehicles the wrong way (northbound) in the southbound lanes of Route 1 when he slammed into Sochalski and Cedeno head-on, police said. The 35-year-old remained in critical condition at St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown as of early Monday afternoon.
Lt. Hank Ward said the impact of the head-on crash caused one of the vehicles to fly over the concrete median barrier and land in the northboud lanes. After jumping the barrier, a vehicle with two 26-year-old Bristol residents struck it. Two 26 year olds from Bristol were treated for minor injuries.
“We do suspect that alcohol and/or drugs was a factor in this accident,” Ward said.
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Sochalski and Cedeno were the parents to a son who about to turn 2 years old, according to their family and friends.
Credit: Submitted
“We are still trying to put everything together,” Ward said, adding the crash caused a “very confusing accident scene.”
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As part of an exhaustive scene investigation, a ladder truck from the Fairless Hills Fire Department was used to take overhead photos of the crash.
Route 1 was closed in the area of the crash from shortly after 2 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Sgt. Martial Belinsky at 215-949-9100.
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The deceased couple’s son is in the care of family. Donations of size 5 diapers, cups, gift cards and other essentials for a 2 year old are being sought by family. Donations can be dropped off or sent to 28 Kentucky Lane, Levittown, Pa. 19055.
