A Berks County man will be tried In Lancaster County Court for causing a four-vehicle crash that killed two people last year In Salisbury Township.
District Judge Raymond Sheller ordered that 21-year-old Jeffrey R. Gable face charges of vehicular homicide and related counts regarding the Oct. 7, 2016, crash on Route 30 near Hoffmeier Road.
At a preliminary hearing Wednesday, Assistant District Attorney Jared Hinsey presented testimony of how Gable, driving a non-emergency transport ambulance with a passenger, was speeding and veered into opposing traffic when he struck a vehicle head-on, causing impact with two more vehicles.
Doris Waltz, a 60-year-old passenger in Gable’s vehicle, was killed, as was Jason Oswald, the 43-year-old driver of a Hyundai Sonata struck head-on. Gable was transporting Waltz, who was in a wheelchair in the rear passenger area, to an area nursing home.
Gable is free on $250,000 unsecured bail until his next court appearance.
Assistant District Attorney Hinsey called Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. James Mooney to testify about his report of what happened, including the crash scene and the dimensions and features of the roadway.
Mooney, who filed charges, also testified of the injuries that caused the two deaths.
Gable’s Ford Trust Ambulance was traveling west on Route 30, in a 45 mph zone, prior to the 10 a.m. crash. Police determined the Trust Ambulance was traveling 64 mph prior to collision.
A witness reported the ambulance suddenly swerved into the right eastbound lane and struck the Sonata head-on. That caused the collision with the box truck and another Hyundai. The driver of the Hyundai sustained serious injuries.
Gable is also charged with aggravated assault by vehicle, two counts of misdemeanor reckless endangerment and four summary violations.
Gable, of Mohnton, is presumed innocent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright