Published on April 5 | Updated on April 7
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two Berks County firefighters who were searching for a missing woman were killed over the weekend when they were hit head-on by a driver under the influence, police said.
Walnuttown Fire Company Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shick Jr. were going north on Route 222 in a utility vehicle around 6 p.m. Saturday when officials said a Toyota Camry going south swerved and collided with them head-on.
Walnuttown Fire and Rescue announced their deaths on social media shortly before midnight.
Two people who were in the Camry ran away, officials said. Police eventually tracked the pair down and took the driver, 26-year-old Alexander Sepulveda-Rivera, of New York City, into custody. Prosecutors said Rivera had marijuana and a crack pipe in his car when he was arrested, and he reportedly told police he fell asleep at the wheel. He was also driving without a license.
Witnesses said they saw Rivera’s car “weaving back and forth” before it struck the firefighters’ utility vehicle.
Rivera is charged with homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence, and related offenses.
It’s not clear whether the passenger in Rivera’s car will face charges.
Assistant Fire Chief Rob Shick (left) and Fire Chief Jeff BuckWalnuttown Fire Company
Officials also told NBC10 that the woman whom the firefighters were searching for has been located.
Lt. Ryan Tyson said the late chiefs dedicated their lives to serving the community.
“Their legacy is to do what’s best for the residents in our township,” he said. “I just hope that we can still find guidance through them every day, when we’re reporting and responding to these incidents.”
A funeral for the fire chiefs is scheduled for Sunday, April 12.
