Two Men Charged with Homicide by Vehicle, Illegal Racing in Fatal Bethlehem Pike Crash

Keith Heffintrayer | North Penn Now•

First responders at the scene of a fatal crash at the intersection of Bethlehem Pike and Bergey Road in Hatfield Township on May 17, 2023.

A pair of arrests have been made in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on Bethlehem Pike in Hatfield Township last year, and court filings indicate the crash came as a result of illegal street racing.

Aidan Thomas Jarrett, 19, of Quakertown, and Evan Buckman, 19, of Pennsburg, were arraigned on Tuesday on felony counts of homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle, as well as a misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment and summary counts of reckless driving and illegal racing, stemming from the May 17, 2023 crash in Hatfield Township.

Both men are free on $50,000 unsecured bail, court records show.

First responders were dispatched to the intersection of Bethlehem Pike and Bergey Road at 8:41 p.m. for a report of a multi-vehicle crash with injuries and entrapment. Investigators said the crash occurred when a silver 2015 Nissan Frontier was attempting to make a left turn onto Bergey Road from Bethlehem Pike and was struck by a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer — driven by Jarrett — that was traveling at a high rate of speed. (Editor’s note: this crash occurred prior to the removal of the ability to turn left onto Bergey Road from Bethlehem Pike.)

Aidan Jarrett, 19, of Quakertown. (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney's Office)

A third vehicle, described as a yellow Nissan 350z driven by Buckman, was also observed traveling at a high rate of speed through the intersection seconds after the crash, before stopping at the scene, police said.

The force of the crash caused the Nissan to flip on its side and travel through the intersection, seriously injuring the driver and passenger, according to the criminal complaint. Both were transported from the scene to Grand View Hospital, with the passenger — identified as 62-year-old Ida Lillo, of Hatfield — being pronounced dead a short time later.

While on scene, Jarrett told police on scene that was driving over the speed limit, and when asked his approximate speed, he replied, "Uhh, pretty fast. Uhh a hundred,” according to police.

Investigators said they determined through witnesses statements, interviews with Jarrett and Buckman, and nearby surveillance footage, that Jarrett and Buckman were racing at high speeds in the southbound lanes prior to the crash. Data from the Airbag Control Module in the Mitsubishi showed the vehicle was traveling at 110.6 miles-per-hour at the time of the crash, and an analysis of video surveillance showed Buckman was traveling at 95 miles-per-hour, according to charging documents.

Evan Buckman, 19, of Pennsburg. (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney's Office)

Court records show both men have a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 20 at 9:30 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine. Jarett is being represented by Gregory Mitsch, Esq., of the Benstead, Mabon and Mitsch firm, and Buckman is being represented by Matthew Quigg, Esq.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney and Chief of Trials Thomas W. McGoldrick.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.