Bucks Co. Man Charged In Crash That Killed 1, Injured 3

PLUMSTEAD TOWNSHIP, PA — A 38-year-old Bucks County man has been charged in connection with a July 31 crash on Rt. 611 that killed a woman and injured her three grandchildren. Thomas J. Everitt, of Kintnersville, has been charged with homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, and related charges in connection with the crash that killed Jeanette Campbell, 67.

Authorities say Everitt, whose 8-year-old son was a passenger in his dump truck at the time of the crash, did not stop for a red light and subsequently hit a Dodge Caravan driven by Laura Oswald of Bethlehem. Oswald, who was riding with her mother (Campbell) and three children, was turning left from southbound Rt. 611 onto Old Easton Road when her van was struck broadside. The impact of the truck pushed her van off the road and into a utility pole, a probable cause affidavit said.

Authorities allege Everitt was going 50 miles per hour and talking on his cell phone when he drove his Dodge Ram 4500 dump truck through a light at Rt. 611 and Old Easton Road that had been red for at least 11 seconds. Crash investigators determined that Everitt did not brake until less than a half-second before impact, the affidavit said.

The impact trapped Campbell inside the van. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities obtained video from a nearby surveillance camera, which showed that the van had come to a complete stop at the traffic signal, the affidavit said. A witness told police that the van had a green left-turn signal when it began making the turn from 611 onto Old Easton Road.

Everitt, in an interview at Doylestown Hospital, told investigators he was “almost positive" his light was green before the crash. He also told police he thought he was listening to music on his phone just before the crash, but an examination of his phone showed he was talking, the affidavit said.

In addition to killing Cambell, Oswald’s 6-year-old son was severely injured, suffering skull and jaw fractures, authorities said. He was transferred to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for treatment. Two other children in the van, ages 3 and 8, were transported by ambulance to Abington Hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

Everitt and his son were treated at Doylestown Hospital for injuries and released.

Everitt was arraigned Tuesday and released on $100,000 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 30.

The crash was investigated by the Plumstead Township Police Department, the Bucks County Detectives and the District Attorney’s Crash Investigation Team. It will be prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Robert D. James.

Image via Bucks County DA