A tragic incident unfolded on Route 309, resulting in fatal consequences and serious legal repercussions. Michael Patrick Lennon, a 21-year-old man from Towamencin Township, has turned himself in to Hatfield Police in connection with a devastating crash on 309 that occurred in June. The charges against him are severe: two counts of vehicular homicide and homicide by vehicle while DUI, stemming from an accident that claimed the lives of a married couple.
Lennon, who is also a junior at Kutztown University, was processed and arraigned on Tuesday afternoon before Magisterial District Judge Richard H. Welsh in Limerick Township. In addition to the homicide charges, Lennon faces three misdemeanor counts of DUI of a controlled substance, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, and summary charges for speeding and failure to obey traffic control devices. The charges paint a grim picture of the events leading up to the fatal crash on 309.
Michael Patrick Lennon, 21, of Towamencin. (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney)
Image: Michael Patrick Lennon mugshot. Alt text: Mugshot of Michael Patrick Lennon, 21, facing vehicular homicide charges related to a Route 309 crash.
In Pennsylvania, a conviction for vehicular homicide carries a significant penalty, with potential prison sentences of up to seven years and fines reaching $15,000 per offense. The severity of these penalties underscores the gravity of the charges Lennon is facing after the crash on 309.
Authorities allege that on June 8 at 4:59 p.m., Lennon was speeding southbound on Route 309 in a light blue 2011 Ford Escape. According to police reports, Lennon, who is a Pennsylvania Department of Health medical marijuana cardholder, had traces of marijuana in his system at the time of the crash. It is alleged that he lost control of his vehicle in the southbound right-turn-only lane of Route 309 and collided with the driver’s side of a white 2021 Toyota Camry at the intersection with Bergey Road in Hatfield Township. This area of Route 309 has now become associated with this tragic crash.
The crash on 309 resulted in serious injuries to four individuals who were transported to Grand View Hospital for treatment. The impact of the collision was particularly severe on the rear driver’s side door of the Toyota Camry. Emergency responders faced a challenging rescue operation, spending four hours at the scene. Tragically, the two deceased victims were rear passengers in the Toyota.
![Wreckage of vehicles involved in crash. Alt text: Scene of the Route 309 crash with a white Toyota Camry and a blue Ford Escape showing damage after the collision.] (https://accessglobal.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/06/08/2Q1A05981.jpg.480x320_q85_box-0%2C0%2C960%2C640_crop_detail.jpg)
The Montgomery County Coroner’s report identified the deceased as Eva Burgos, 80, of Hatfield, who passed away on June 25 due to accidental blunt impact injuries, and Jaime Burgos, 87, who died two days later. Their deaths are a direct consequence of the crash on 309.
Lennon was released on $250,000 unsecured bail, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 30 at 10:30 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine. He has retained defense attorney Sean Cullen from Hamburg, Rubin, Maxwell, Mullin and Lupin, P.C.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and driving under the influence. The fatal crash on 309 has deeply impacted the community, highlighting the critical importance of road safety and responsible driving habits. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on seeking justice for the victims and ensuring accountability for the events that transpired on Route 309.
