Lower Merion Firefighter Dies After Being Hit By DUI Driver: Cops

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — A Lower Merion Township firefighter responding to a crash on Interstate 76 died after being struck by woman who is accused of driving under the influence this weekend.

According to the Lower Merion Fire Department, Belmont Hills Fire Company Firefighter Thomas Royds died Saturday morning following an incident at mile marker 335 on Interstate 76 west.

Royds and fellow firefighters were called to the area at about 3:04 a.m. Saturday for an accident with injuries.

Crews were getting ready to leave the scene when at about 3:23 a.m., a vehicle struck Royds, two other firefighters, and a Pennsylvania State Police trooper.

Royds went into cardiac arrest at the scene and was taken to Paoli Hospital, where he later died.

Jacquelyn Walker, 63, of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, is facing vehicular homicide, DUI, involuntary manslaughter, and other crimes in connection with the crash, court records show.

The other two injured firefighters were flown by PennSTAR and JeffSTAT medical
helicopters to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where they underwent surgery.

Their conditions are unknown.

The state trooper was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center by ambulance.

The Lower Merion Firefighter held a processional for Royds Sunday.

Authorities said despite Walker's charges, the investigation is not over.

"The Pennsylvania State Police and Montgomery County Detectives are awaiting the result of laboratory testing and medical examinations as well as continuing to examine the crash, on-scene data, the vehicle and what occurred prior to the crash," Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Pennsylvania State Police Captain James Kemm said in a joint statement Monday. "We will seek justice for all of the victims of this terrible crash that sadly will have a lasting impact on the families of the first responders, the Lower Merion firefighting community and many others."

Walker is being held after failing to post $500,000 bail, court documents show.

Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5.

Royds is the second Lower Merion Township firefighter to die while on duty in recent weeks.

Firefighter Sean DeMuynck died after suffering injuries in a structure fire on the Fourth of July.