Photo by James Short.
Investigators have released the details of last month’s fatal crash on Skippack Pike in Whitemarsh Township, which killed a pregnant woman and her baby and led to the arrest of her boyfriend on homicide by vehicle charges.
The crash occurred at 5:56 p.m. on May 4 along the 100 block of Skippack Pike near the intersection with Butler Pike and involved a 2000 Buick LeSabre and a 2009 Toyota Corolla. Police said their investigation into the crash revealed the Buick — driven by 27-year-old Jabrial Terry, of Philadelphia — was traveling eastbound at 50 miles per hour when it drove off the right side of the road into a concrete culvert then overcorrected and swerved into oncoming traffic in the westbound lane.
The Buick then struck the Toyota head-on, investigators said.
By James Short The report states that Terry was trapped in the Buick, but was ultimately freed by a Good Samaritan. Terry’s pregnant girlfriend — identified as 24-year-old Nya Janae Stokes — was found unresponsive in the front passenger’s seat, and the same Good Samaritan rendered medical aid and performed CPR until emergency medical personnel arrived, according to the police report.
Stokes was transported from the scene to Abington Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 6:49 p.m. Her baby was delivered via c-section, but died several days later on May 9.
Autopsy reports listed Stokes cause of death as “multiple injuries” and the baby’s cause of death as “complications from blunt impact injuries.” The manner of death for both Stokes and the baby were listed as “accidental,” according to court documents.
According to police, Terry and the driver of the Toyota both sustained lower body injuries as a result of the crash, with Terry also sustaining a bleeding head wound and the Toyota driver suffering other internal injuries.
Neither Terry nor Stokes were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, investigators said.
By James Short In an interview with police, Terry said he was on social media on his phone at the time of the crash, according to the criminal complaint. Terry also denied being the driver and said his girlfriend was driving, however he misspoke several times stating that he was driving, and all evidence including witnesses and DNA from the airbag concluded that Terry was the driver, officials said.
Investigators noted the vehicle smelled of marijuana, and marijuana was found inside of the vehicle during a post-crash search, along with $1,235 in cash on the floor of the vehicle. Police also said they found nearly 100 pills on Terry, including oxycodone, Xanax, and naloxone, as well as another $1,709.
A blood test later returned presumptive positives for benzodiazepines, THC, oxycodone and fentanyl, the report states.
Court documents indicate the Buick had an altered registration and VIN, expired inspection, and no insurance. Investigators also said a post-crash inspection showed no mechanical issues had played a role in the crash.
Terry was initially charged on May 16 with felony counts of homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while DUI, and related offenses, stemming from the crash. At the time, Whitemarsh Township Police Chief Christopher Ward told Wissahickon Now that police had attempted to serve the arrest warrant at several of Terry’s known addresses, however they were unsuccessful.
According to a release from the US Marshals, Terry was taken into custody on Tuesday, and in an email to Wissahickon Now, Chief Ward said Terry was located at a relative’s home in West Philadelphia.
Jabrial Terry, 27, of Philadelphia. (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office)In addition to the homicide charges, Terry has also been charged with felony counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, and accidents involving death or injury while not licensed, as well as misdemeanor counts of DUI, fraudulent title/registration/insurance, reckless endangerment and summary counts of reckless driving, careless driving, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without insurance, driving without inspection, driving without seatbelts and illegal tint.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 10 at 9:15 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Dara Nasatir.
He is currently being held on $99,000 cash bail.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
