Overview
- - The Walnuttown fire chief and assistant chief were struck Saturday evening while riding a utility terrain vehicle on the shoulder of Route 222 during a missing‑person search, and both died at hospitals; officials later said the missing woman was found.
- - Alexander Sepulveda‑Rivera, 26, was arrested nearby and, after a Monday arraignment, now faces 21 counts including two charges of homicide by vehicle while DUI, according to court records and police.
- - Court filings say he told investigators he smoked marijuana that morning and fell asleep at the wheel, and officers reported finding a crack pipe and suspected marijuana, noting he had no license, an active warrant, and fled the scene before being caught.
- - The Lehigh County coroner ruled the deaths accidental in a medicolegal finding, with autopsies conducted Monday and toxicology results pending as the investigation continues.
- - Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags to half‑staff and a procession returned the men to Berks County, and the district attorney set a Tuesday briefing as neighboring departments cover calls for the small, grieving fire company.