Lansdale Area First Responders Mourn Death Of Firefighter Royds

LANSDALE, PA — In the wake of the tragic death of a Montgomery County firefighter at the hands of what police said was a drunk driver on I-76 Sunday night, Lansdale area first responders are hoping that something like this never happens again.

"The lives of first responders, OUR LIVES, are not expendable," the North Penn Volunteer Fire Company shared, going on to add, "We should not have to be writing this."

Belmont Hills Fire Company Firefighter Thomas Royds died Saturday morning following the incident at mile marker 335 on Interstate 76 west. Royds was on the scene responding to a different crash when he, two other firefighters, and a Pennsylvania State Police trooper were struck.

Jacquelyn Walker, 63, of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, is facing vehicular homicide charges.

"Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law requires drivers approaching an emergency response area, who are unable to safely merge into a lane farther away from the response area, to 'pass the emergency response area at a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit and reasonable for safely passing,'" North Penn Volunteer Fire Company added. "Our lives are worth more than this, FF Royds life was worth more than this."

Other local agencies also reacted to the tragedy:

"The Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company is holding those first responders involved in an incident this morning in our hearts and prayers," the company said in a statement. " lease hold them, their families, and friends in your prayers. As always, please exercise caution when operating motor vehicles and be aware of your surroundings."

"The Officers and members of Centre Square Fire Company extend our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the family of firefighter Tom Royds, members of Lower Merion Fire Department, and those injured in this terrible incident."

Officials said the investigation into the crash on I-76 remains ongoing.