A 31-year-old Bristol Township man has been ordered to stand trial following a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges stemming from a deadly crash that killed a Connecticut couple earlier this year.
Advertisements
John Thomas Wadlinger Jr., of the Croydon section of the township, came before District Judge Kevin Wagner at the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown Borough on Tuesday.
After an hours-long afternoon hearing, charges, including homicide by vehicle while DUI and aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, were held over for trial, according to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
The crash happened at approximately 1:32 p.m. on February 24 at the intersection of Ford Road and Veterans Highway (Route 413) in Bristol Township.
Advertisements
Authorities said Wadlinger was driving a black Ford Explorer when he violently collided with a 2019 red Nissan Sentra.
The wreck resulted in the deaths of Rebecca Whiddon, 33, and Richard Whiddon, 37, of Brooklyn, Connecticut. Two others in the Nissan were injured.
During the hearing, six witnesses, including three law enforcement officers, testified that Wadlinger was speeding and ran through the traffic intersection.
Advertisements
Investigators have said they determined that Wadlinger was under the influence of methamphetamine and amphetamine and driving at 73 mph, which is more than twice the posted speed limit.
Following the crash, Wadlinger allegedly stole a dump truck and led police on a high-speed chase that ended when the truck tipped over at the intersection of Veterans Highway and Old Rodgers Road.
Following the second crash, Wadlinger attempted to flee on foot but was captured after a brief pursuit, police said.
Advertisements
Court documents revealed that Wadlinger was driving without a license, which had been suspended through 2031. He was also on state parole for a previous aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer case and was required to wear an ankle monitor, which had run out of charge on the morning of the incident.
Surveillance footage and DNA evidence linked Wadlinger to the crash, police said.
Wadlinger’s criminal history includes three DUI convictions and habitual offender status. His extensive criminal background dates back to his teenage years, involving numerous arrests and probation violations.
Advertisements
Wadlinger is being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
