An Ashland man is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison for causing a fatal crash in Butler Township in March of this year.
On March 3rd, 2023, Wade Bucher, 47, of Ashland, and Frank Gronski, 65, of Wilburton were involved in a crash in the area of 622 Fountain Street, Fountain Springs, Butler Township.
Bucher, driving a Chevrolet Colorado, and Gronski, driving a Ford Sedan, struck head-on after Bucher crossed over the double yellow line and into the path of Gronski.
Gronski would be pronounced dead at the scene and Bucher would be flown for his injuries to an area hospital.
On Monday, September 18th, 2023, Butler Township Police Chief Christopher Hand, who was a patrolman at the time of the crash, filed charges of Felony 3rd Degree Homicide by Vehicle, misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, disregard of a traffic lane, reckless driving, careless driving, and exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph against Bucher.
According to court papers from Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli's office, an investigation by Chief Hand involved the questioning of Bucher and also eyewitness accounts.
When Hand spoke with Bucher at the scene of the crash and asked what happened, he stated "I must have fallen asleep".
Hand also spoke with a witness who was traveling in a vehicle directly in front of Bucher prior to the crash.
The witness stated that Bucher followed them for approximately 2 miles and had weaved in and out of the traffic lane several times. At one point, the witness said they had to speed up because they feared Bucher would rear end them.
Bucher was into custody late Monday by the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville when he was a passenger in a vehicle during a traffic stop.
He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli on the above charges.
He was transported to Schuylkill County Prison where he remains locked up unable to post 10% of $100,000 straight cash bail.