Man Drank Beer, Used Phone Before Montco Crash Killing Woman, Baby: DA

LOWER PROVIDENCE, PA — Third degree murder charges have been filed against the man that police said drank multiple beers before driving a dump truck head-on into an SUV in Lower Providence in August, killing a young woman and her unborn baby.

Everett Clayton, 56, of Charleston, West Virginia, faces the new counts following a further investigation, months after he was originally arrested and charged in October, the Montgomery County District Attorney's announced Wednesday.

DA Kevin Steele said that the investigation always continues after the initial arrest in incidents like these.

"In this case, we were able to find evidence that showed the defendant’s actions exhibited sustained recklessness over a period of time leading up to the fatal crash," Steele added in a statement.

Kellie Adams, 31, of Lansdale, and her unborn baby, Emersyn Grace Adams, were both killed.

The crash occurred on the 500 block of South Park Avenue on Aug. 25 at around 3 p.m.

Clayton had multiple "Sly Fox IPA beers" before driving, police said, though his blood alcohol content was .076, just under the legal limit to drive. He also recorded numerous videos on his cell phone while driving in the half hour before the crash, showing him speeding, tailgating, and driving extremely recklessly, police said. Investigators found evidence of several "near-miss" incidents before the fatal crash.

Clayton's 2003 Ford F650 XLT Super Duty dump truck was going about 58 miles an hour as he hit a curve on South Park Avenue, and he was unable to stay in his own lane, authorities said.

That's when he struck Adams' SUV head-on with such violent force that it brought her vehicle to a complete stop, according to police.

Clayton has remained in Montgomery County Correctional Facility since early November after he did not post $500,000 cash bail. He was arraigned on Tuesday on the new charges. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 17, 2023.