An Upper Gwynedd Township man has been charged in connection with a January crash on Sumneytown Pike that sent a man, his wife, and one of their children to the hospital.
Clifford Washington Jr., 41, has been charged with multiple counts of DUI, DUI – Controlled Substance, reckless endangerment, and related offenses in connection with the Jan. 22 incident. Court records show Washington will be processed at his May preliminary hearing, meaning bail has not been set and no booking image is available.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Sumneytown Pike and South Broad Street at 2:22 p.m., and the crash involved two vehicles — a black Ford Explorer occupied by a man, his wife, and their two children, and a gray Ford F150 driven by Washington, police said.
Both vehicles suffered heavy damage as a result of the crash, and the man, his wife, and one of their children were transported to Lehigh Valley and Grand View hospitals with various injuries, according to charging documents.
Investigators said that Washington was traveling northbound on South Broad Street towards Sumneytown Pike when he went around a vehicle that was stopped at the red light, continued to enter the intersection despite the red light, then struck the victim’s vehicle. Washington was described by police at the scene as lethargic with slurred speech and smelling of alcohol, and he reportedly received an administration of Narcan due to having constricted pupils and fading consciousness, police said.
A blood analysis later showed Washington had a blood-alcohol content of .112%, and he was also found to have fentanyl and THC in his bloodstream at the time of the crash, police said.
The scene was ultimately cleared around 4 p.m. Upper Gwynedd Police were assisted at the scene by first responders from Lansdale Borough and Towamencin Township.
Court records show charges against Washington were filed on March 30. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 18 at 9:30 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Suzan Leonard.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
Homicide by Vehicle Charges Filed After Victim of February Crash on Route 309 Dies from Injuries
Arrest Made in Connection with Shooting Incident Outside of Panico’s in Lansdale
Bail for Lansdale Bomb Threat Suspect Revoked After Calling in Threat to Office of District Judge
