Rebecca Whiddon : John Wadlinger Arrested After Fatal Hit-and-Run

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Alleged Hit-and-Run Driver in Custody After Fatal Bucks County Crash

An alleged hit-and-run driver is currently in custody following a tragic car crash in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to two others. The incident took place at the intersection of Veterans Highway and Ford Road in Bristol, Pennsylvania, at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Surveillance footage captured the harrowing moment when a black Ford Explorer was seen speeding along Ford Road before colliding with a red Nissan Sentra at the intersection. The impact was so severe that the SUV came to a halt about 100 feet down the road.

The driver of the Ford Explorer, identified as 31-year-old John Wadlinger of Croydon, attempted to flee the scene on foot after the crash. However, Bristol Police Lieutenant Sean Cosgrove revealed that Wadlinger’s escape was short-lived.

“He stole a tri-axle dump truck from a nearby industrial area in an attempt to escape,” Cosgrove stated. “Unfortunately, he lost control of the truck and overturned it before being apprehended by authorities.”

Tragically, two passengers in the Nissan, identified as Rebecca and Richard Whiddon of Brooklyn, Connecticut, lost their lives in the crash. The couple, who had been married since 2017, were visiting a friend in the area at the time of the incident. The third passenger remains in critical condition, while the driver of the Nissan miraculously sustained only minor injuries.

Local businesses and witnesses were shocked by the severity of the collision. The owner of Beach’s Hardware, located near the crash site, described it as one of the most devastating accidents he had witnessed in over 25 years.

Investigating officers expressed the challenging nature of the case, citing the rarity of such tragic events in the area. Cosgrove remarked, “This is a tough one. A married couple visiting the area meeting such a tragic end is something I haven’t encountered often.”

Authorities have confirmed that Wadlinger is being held on a detainer related to a previous conviction, unrelated to the recent crash. Formal charges in connection with the fatal collision are still pending as of Monday night.

As the community mourns the loss of the Whiddons and prays for the swift recovery of the injured passengers, the impact of this devastating incident continues to resonate throughout Bucks County.