Owner Of Dump Truck Charged In Montco Crash That Killed Woman, Baby

LOWER PROVIDENCE, PA — The owner of a drump truck used in a Montgomery County homicide by vehicle that killed a pregnant woman and her unborn baby was arrested in Virginia, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

Patrick Doran, 24, of Gaithersburg, Maryland was taken into custody in Fairfax County, Virginia by U.S. Marshals. Doran sold the truck, using a fake driver's license, to Everett Clayton, who police said was driving extremely recklessly when the crash occurred.

Officials also said that Doran never had the vehicle inspected or insured. The DA's office was adamant that vehicle would not have passed inspection and thus would not have been used in the crime.

"(Doran) recklessly put that dump truck on the road where it was turned into a lethal weapon, killing a young, pregnant mother and her unborn baby,” DA Kevin Steele said in a statement.

The vehicle would've failed inspection for multiple reasons, including a size difference in the rear tires, which could have helped apply brake pressure in the crash, the DA said.

Kellie Adams, 31, of Lansdale, and her unborn baby, Emersyn Grace Adams, were both killed in the crash. It occurred on the 500 block of South Park Avenue on Aug. 25 at around 3 p.m.

Clayton, 56, of Charleston, West Virginia 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.

Doran will be extradited to Montgomery County where he will face charges of homicide by vehicle and multiple counts related to the truck and crash. A preliminary hearing will be set following his arraignment.