Murder Charges Filed In Rt. 95 Crash In Bucks County; 22-Year-Old Woman Killed

Police say a 23-year-old man who was fleeing from police at more than 100 mph crashed his car on Route 95 in Bucks County early Friday, killing a passenger. Third-degree murder charges have been filed against Arthur A. Lewis of Trenton, New Jersey.

Lewis is also facing homicide-by-vehicle charges connected to the death of Javairia M. Mahmood, a 22-year-old woman who was sitting in the front seat when the crash occurred in Bristol Township around 12:36 a.m. in the northbound lanes.

Lewis struck a guardrail and a concrete barrier before flipping his Acura, authorities say. Mahmood was pronounced dead at the scene. Two teenage passengers sitting in the back were also injured.

Police reported finding illegal drugs, including heroin and cocaine, in and near the car, as well as in Lewis' pocket.

The crash, which closed the road for several hours, happened moments after state police troopers say they tried to pull the Acura over near the Academy Road exit in Philadelphia. Troopers report the car was going "at a high speed" and they caught up to it near Woodhaven Road.

It was there that troopers clocked the Acrua's speed at 94 mph in a 55-mph zone, according to an affidavit of probable cause. When law enforcement activated the emergency lights and siren near the Street Road exit, Lewis pulled onto the right shoulder before racing off again at more than 100 mph, the affidavit said.

Troopers followed the car at a distance. They told investigators they saw the car's headlights and taillights were turned off as it passed several other vehicles, the affidavit said. When troopers approached the Bristol exit, they reported seeing a cloud of smoke and the overturned wreckage of the Acura.

A bag of suspected marijuana was found on the ground outside the car, and a bag of suspected cocaine was located inside the vehicle, according to the affidavit. Plus, three bundles of suspected heroin were found in Lewis’ jacket when EMS workers cut it off of him, the affidavit said.

Police at the scene described his behavior as "slow and lethargic." His eyes were bloodshot, the affidavit said. He refused to submit to a blood test, police said.

Lewis was admitted to St. Mary Medical Center, where he was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Joseph Falcone, who ordered him held without bail. He is being guarded at the hospital by state police until he can be moved to the Bucks County Correctional Facility, authorities said.