Croydon man charged with vehicular homicide while DUI in crash that killed Connecticut couple

John Thomas Wadlinger, of Croydon, charged in fatal DUI crash. (Courtesy of Bucks County)

A 31-year-old man has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide while DUI for the fatal crash in Bristol Township that claimed the lives of a Connecticut couple earlier this year.

John Thomas Wadlinger, of Croydon, was arrested on a parole violation on February 24, the day he sped through a traffic intersection and crashed into a car, killing Rebecca Whiddon, 33, and Richard Whiddon, 37, both from Brooklyn. Connecticut.

Wadlinger was arraigned on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, on two counts each of homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter. He also faces charges of aggravated vehicular assault while DUI, aggravated vehicular assault, accidents involving death or injury, accidents involving death or injury without proper license, driving under the influence, reckless endangerment another person, fleeing or eluding the police and flight to avoid apprehension.

He was additionally charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of an instrument of crime, criminal mischief, defiant trespass, driving with a suspended license and nine summary traffic offenses.

He appeared before Magisterial District Judge Kevin P. Wagner and was remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Center on $20 million, 10 percent bail.

This case was investigated by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, the Bristol Township Police Department and the Plumstead Township Police Department.

The investigation found that Wadlinger was under the influence of methamphetamine and amphetamine and was driving at least 73 mph, more than twice the posted speed limit, when he crashed at 1:32 p.m. at the intersection of Ford Road and Veterans Highway in Bristol. Township.

The investigation revealed that a Nissan Sentra, occupied by four people, was traveling westbound on Ford Road and was attempting to turn left onto southbound Veteran’s Highway when it was struck by a black Ford Explorer driven by Wadlinger, who was traveling eastbound on Ford Road. at an excessively high speed.

Several eyewitnesses to the crash told police the Ford Explorer was “flying.”

Upon arrival at the scene of the accident, police indicated that the Nissan Sentra had sustained catastrophic damage. The Whiddons were dead on arrival and the driver and third occupant sustained significant injuries.

Wadlinger fled the scene on foot before police arrived, stole a dump truck parked on Old Rodgers Road and drove off. Police pursued the dump truck, but when it crashed, Wadlinger fled again on foot.

He was taken into custody a short time later. Wadlinger was transported to the hospital for medical treatment, and investigators obtained a search warrant to collect blood samples that were drawn by hospital staff.

He was then taken to the Bucks County Correctional Facility and held without bail on a state parole violation.

One of the surviving victims was hospitalized for eight days with injuries that included a collapsed lung, liver lacerations, multiple rib fractures, a fractured right collarbone and acute blood loss. She also required surgery on her spleen. The other victim suffered a fractured finger, musculoskeletal pain and abrasions to his forehead, collarbone and hands.

This case is assigned for prosecution to Deputy District Attorney Christine Sassane and Assistant District Attorney Andrew Bukowski.

Obtained via CRIMEWATCH