Impaired driver caused fatal crash in Thornbury, say police
A Fairless Hills driver impaired by drugs caused an April 13 crash in Thornbury Township, Chester County, that killed a Phoenixville man, police said today.
After a nine-week investigation, police concluded that Thomas Patrick Brandon, 46, was traveling at least 56 m.p.h. when his Isuzu truck slammed into a car driven by Daniel Ortiz Lopez, 31, who was stopped at a red light on Route 202, Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police said.
Lopez's car, which was pushed forward into a third vehicle, burst into flames. Blood tests showed Brandon was under the influence of marijuana, police said. He was charged with homicide by vehicle and related offenses.
After failing to post $25,000 cash bail, Brandon was sent to Chester County Prison to await a preliminary hearing next Thursday, court records said. - Kathleen Brady Shea
