Charges against a 25-year-old man accused of causing a fatal crash in Hilltown Township in June were held for trial following a preliminary hearing at the Criminal Justice Center.

Colin John Wahlers, of Perkasie, is charged with being heavily intoxicated when he fled from a Hilltown Township police officer on June 2, leading to a crash that claimed the life of his passenger, 35-year-old Joseph Kay.

Three law enforcement officers testified before Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage during the hearing Thursday morning in a packed courtroom. She found that enough evidence was presented to send all charges against Wahlers to the Court of Common Pleas.

Wahlers is charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude police, involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence-general impairment, driving under the influence-highest rate, and recklessly endangering another person.

He was also charged with five summary traffic offenses: reckless driving, driving at unsafe speeds, disregarding traffic lanes, driving an unregistered vehicle, and duties at stop sign. 

His formal arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 15.

Joseph Kay, 35, of Hilltown Township was killed in the June 2 crash at Green Street and Rickert Road. Kay was the passenger in a Polaris Ranger side-by-side vehicle operated by Wahlers, who was fleeing a traffic stop when he crashed. Kay had been a volunteer firefighter for the Plumsteadville Fire Company.

The investigation found that Wahlers performed poorly on a field sobriety test at the scene and blood tests later revealed that his blood-alcohol content was 0.195 percent, more than twice the legal limit to operate a vehicle.

This case was investigated by the Hilltown Township Police Department, the Plumstead Township Police Department and the Bucks County District Attorney's Office Homicide by Vehicle Unit.

This case is assigned for prosecution to Assistant District Attorney Andrew Bukowski.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215.348.6298, mgamiz@buckscounty.org

Criminal charges are allegations subject to proof in court. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.