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Background: The scene of the crash on Route 222 in Richmond Township, Pennsylvania (WCAU/YouTube). Insets (from top to bottom): Walnuttown Fire Company Chief Jeffory Buck and Walnuttown Fire Company Assistant Chief Robert R. Shick, Jr. (Walnuttown Fire Department).
In a tragic incident, two volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania lost their lives after a car unexpectedly veered off the road and collided with them while they were on a mission to locate a missing woman, officials reported.
Alexander Sepulveda Rivera, 26, faces a multitude of charges, including two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, two counts of homicide by vehicle, accidents involving death or personal injury, and DUI, Berks County District Attorney John Adams said at a press conference streamed by regional NBC affiliate WCAU. Sepulveda is accused of causing the deaths of Walnuttown Fire Company Chief Jeffory Buck, 60, and Walnuttown Fire Company Assistant Chief Robert R. Shick, Jr., 56.
The incident occurred on April 4 when emergency personnel were conducting a search for a missing 60-year-old woman in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. This area is a borough situated in Berks County, roughly 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Members of the Walnuttown Fire Company were actively involved in the search effort.
Firefighters Buck and Shick were navigating a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) along the shoulder of Route 222, also known as Kutztown Road, at a cautious speed, according to Adams. Concurrently, Rivera was reportedly driving a Toyota Camry erratically, swerving across the road.
In an unexpected turn, Rivera allegedly veered out of his lane, drove onto the shoulder, and collided head-on with the UTV, as stated by Adams.
After the collision, Rivera and another individual in the car reportedly fled the scene immediately, witnesses recounted. Thanks to the assistance of observers, the two were quickly apprehended nearby, according to Adams’ description of the events.
Rivera was read his Miranda rights, and “he admitted driving the vehicle,” Adams said. “He said he fell asleep, and he admitted he had smoked marijuana the same day; he was also found with a crack pipe, and he admitted that that crack pipe was his.”
The DA noted that Sepulveda did not have a driver’s license, and he didn’t believe that the defendant ever had one. He said that Rivera submitted to a blood test.
Rivera was booked into jail. Authorities made no mention of the person with Rivera being charged or suspected of a crime.
The crash has resulted in an outpouring of condolences for Buck and Shick.
“Rest easy chiefs, we got it from here,” the Walnuttown Fire Company posted on its Facebook page.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Chief Jeffory L. Buck and Assistant Chief Robert Shick of the Walnuttown Fire Company, who gave their lives in the line of duty while conducting a search on April 4, 2026,” Pennsylvania state Sen. Chris Gebhard said. “My heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends, fellow firefighters, and the entire community as they mourn this tragic loss.”