Hearing postponed for man charged in crash that killed Berks County firefighters

A man charged in a crash that killed two Berks County firefighters had his hearing pushed to next month as prosecutors await toxicology results.

Alexander Sepulveda Rivera was handcuffed and shackled as two Pennsylvania state constables led him into the district court in Berks County on Tuesday, April 21.

The 26-year-old appeared briefly before a judge on homicide and other charges for a crash on April 4 that killed Walnuttown fire chief Jeffory L. Buck and assistant fire chief Robert R. Shick Jr.

Prosecutors allege Rivera was under the influence and behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry when he struck and killed the two men. They were riding an all-terrain vehicle on the shoulder of Route 222 in Richmond Township searching for a missing woman.

The men’s wives and their children shared their grief with NBC10 at the fire station days after the crash: “It’s just going to be a horrible time for us.”

The firefighter’s families were also inside the building Tuesday afternoon, but never entered the courtroom to hear the judge tell Rivera, through a translator, that his preliminary hearing is rescheduled until next month.

After Rivera was led out of the room, the berks county assistant district attorney said they are still waiting for Rivera’s toxicology results.

Prosecutors said that in the moments following the crash, he and his passenger ran from the scene but were captured a short time later.

On the day he announced charges against the New York City man, Berks County District Attorney John Adams told NBC10 what Rivera told officers after his arrest.

“He said he fell asleep. And he admitted he smoked marijuana the same day. He was also found with a crack pipe and he admitted that crack pipe was his,” said Adams.

Rivera’s defense attorney declined to speak with NBC10 after the hearing. As of now, he is due back inside this building for his preliminary hearing on May 26.