Teen Charged In Fatal Post-Burglary Norristown Crash

NORRISTOWN, PA — A teenager has been charged with homicide by vehicle and five others face burglary charges after the group fled the scene of a Norristown break-in at high speeds and ultimately crashed, killing one passenger, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced.

The driver, Kareen Samuel Jr., 16, along with passengers Dawud McKnight, 20, of Norristown, John Purdie III, 19, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Brian Walters, 20, of Norristown all face burglary charges and related counts. A 17-year-old juvenile has also been charged.

Mark Thorne, 17, of Bala Cynwyd, was the passenger who was killed.

The incident occurred on Aug. 3 at around 5:31 a.m. on Buttonwood Street in Norristown, the DA's Office said.

The burglars broke into a home on that street and stole a safe, knives, and numerous other items, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Samuel, driving a white Hyundai sedan with his passengers, came upon a Norristown police cruiser and immediately began to speed away, authorities said.

Samuel ran 10 stop signs and a red light and got up to speeds of at least 55 miles per hour while fleeing, according to police.

Shortly after the intersection of Main and Hamilton streets, Samuel collided with a black SUV, which happened to be driven by an off-duty Montgomery County deputy sheriff who was not involved in the pursuit.

After the crash, Samuel tried to run but collapsed nearby, police said. McKnight, who was in the front seat, and three of the passengers in the back seat were all taken to Paoli Hospital with serious injuries after the crash, authorities said.

The deputy was treated and released from the hospital the same day.

After an investigation, Samuel was arraigned on Nov. 15 and was denied bail by Montgomery County Magisterial District Judge Gregory Scott. He was then sent to Montgomery County Correctional Facility and has a preliminary hearing set for Nov. 27. Samuel faces the most serious charges; in addition to the third degree murder charge, he also faces aggravated assault and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

Image via Montgomery County District Attorney's Office; top left Walters, top right Samuel, bottom left Purdie, bottom right McKnight.