DUI Driver Sentenced To Up To 56 Years For Crash That Killed Two, Injured Two Others

John Thomas Wadlinger Jr. Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office

On February 24, 2024, John Thomas Wadlinger Jr. knew he shouldn’t have been behind the wheel of the older-model Ford Explorer as he traveled the area, he knew he shouldn’t have been intoxicated, and he knew he should not have been speeding through the intersection of Veterans Highway (Route 413) and Ford Road in Bristol Township. But he did it anyway.

In an instant, every bad decision Wadlinger made that chilly winter day collided. The high-on-methamphetamine and amphetamine 32-year-old man, who has past addresses in Bensalem and Bristol townships, slammed into cherry red 2019 Nissan Sentra, ripping the vehicle apart, as it made a left turn.

The violent crash almost instantly killed Rebecca Whiddon, 33, and Richard Whiddon, 37, both of Brooklyn, Connecticut. It left Chandra Lampreich, the Levittown woman who was driving the Nissan, hurt and Gabrielle Gusmano, of New Jersey, with lasting serious injuries that nearly claimed her life.

Richard and Rebecca Whiddon. Credit: Fundraiser

On Monday at the Bucks County Justice Center, Wadlinger came before the victims, their families, and Court of Common Pleas Judge Theodore Fritsch to be sentenced.

Wadlinger pleaded guilty in November to 20 charges, including two counts each of homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, and aggravated assault.

After hearing hours of victim impact statements and testimony, Fritsch sentenced Wadlinger to 26 years and nine months to 56 years and 10 months in state prison. He was also ordered to get treatment for substances and $14,971.11 in restitution and $8,100 in fines.

Gusmano told the court of her near-death experience and weeks under medical care. She still has surgeries and lives in nonstop pain that may never go away.

The woman said the group was together last February to celebrate birthdays and were happy to be together.

Gusmano recalled the crash and seeing Richard Whiddon dead on the ground several yards outside of the car.

“I was surrounded by complete carnage,” she recalled.

Supported by her mother, Gusmano told the judge: “[Wadlinger] robbed the world of two separate and wonderful humans.”

Lampreich testified that she recalls the four friends in her car laughing, hearing a scream, and then the sounds of a violent crash.

“One moment, we are all happily laughing on our way to see our friends and in the next, jilted into an unconceivable nightmare,” said Lampreich, who deals with survivor’s guilty. “The crash had caused such carnage; I felt like I was standing in the middle of a battlefield.”

Richard Whiddon’s father told the court his wife and son still feel the pain daily and they are in a constant state of depression due to the loss.

“This is our new life sentence given to us by [Wadlinger],” he said.

Richard Whiddon was a talented artist and machinist who enjoyed seeing people laugh. His father said although his son went to college, he self-taught himself photography, machining, historic restoration, photography, programing, and 3D printing.

Jeffrey Zagoren, who was Rebecca Whiddon’s stepfather, noted the bright light she and Richard were in their family. He recalled becoming Rebecca Widdon’s stepfather when she was a young girl and their relationship growing over the years.

“Our lives have all been drastically changed,” he told. “I will truly miss Rebecca and Rich.”

Mark Gottlieb, Rebecca Whiddon’s father, noted that his daughter graduated high school in three years and had her PhD by 25. She worked for a tech company as a scientist and had patents to her name.

Richard Whiddon and Rebecca Whiddon in a photo posted to Instagram.

Rebecca and Richard Whiddon weren’t just loved by their families, but they were popular in the urban exploring and rave scene, Gottlieb said, with family noting they were considering starting a family.

“They were both led active lives,” Gottlieb wrote to the court, noting that the family was close and traveled together, often on mineral collecting trips.

Bristol Township police Officer John Nowicke, who investigated the wreck, said the crash was the worst he had seen. He recalled that fellow officers had the same opinion.

The officer, who has investigated several previous fatal crashes, told the court it was “insane to think about” the severity of the crash.

The crash happened at approximately 1:32 p.m. on February 24, 2024, at the intersection.

Investigators 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 ran away and stole a dump truck before leading police on a short 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.

On Monday, prosecutors Christine Sassane and Andrew Bukowski played a complications of footage, photos, and 9-1-1 calls of the crash.

The footage showed the violent crash, 9-1-1 calls about the wreck, and footage showing Bristol Township Officer Kevin Jackson rushing into action to pursuit and then chase down Wadlinger on foot as he attempted to get away.

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.

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.

Authorities said Wadlinger had been driving unlawfully in the days leading up to the crash, including being involved in a minor crash in a Bristol Borough parking lot.

In court, it was revealed that Wadlinger’s criminal history goes back to when he was a 14-year-old boy and brought a BB gun to school, shooting a fellow student.

Jailhouse recordings following Wadlinger’s detainment as the fatal crash was being investigated showing him gleefully talking about making the news and asking a friend to send him LevittownNow.com coverage of the wreck.

“Cool,” Wadlinger said in one jailhouse phone call. “I made the news.”

The Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown Borough.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

Sassane, the deputy district attorney prosecuting the case, said that Wadlinger’s actions showed he had little remorse.

Wadlinger did address the victim and families of the deceased.

The career criminal apologized for the pain he had caused and said he wished he could trade places with the deceased.

“I also need you to know this was an accident and not intentional,” Wadlinger said.

Wadlinger said he had been to rehab three times in the year before the crash, noting a health diagnosis for girlfriend led to a relapse.

“I’m not just another junkie,” Wadlinger said in court.

Riley Downs, Wadlinger’s public defender, said his client appeared remorseful to him, citing a report that noted the 32-year-old man’s tough childhood.

The victims and their families told the judge Wadlinger had his chances and deserved full punishment for his crimes.

After court, Sassane told this news organization the sentence will keep Wadlinger off the streets and offer closure to those who knew the victims ahead of the one-year anniversary of the crash.

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