Pottstown Teen was DUI, Texting When He Killed Jogger, Police Say

A Pottstown teen is facing charges of homicide by vehicle, DUI, and related offenses, in connection with the March 4 vehicle crash that killed a mother of two who was jogging on Lewis Road.

Justin Matthew Jackson, 18, of Pottstown, was allegedly texting on his phone when his vehicle crossed over the southbound lane of Lewis Road and struck a pedestrian who was jogging against traffic in the northbound lane, according to a press release from the district attorney's office. 

The jogger – who was later identified as Merinda Thompson, 40, of Royersford – died at the scene as a result of of the crash. She left a husband and two children behind.

A joint investigation into the crash, conducted between the Limerick Police Department and the Montgomery County Detectives, uncovered marijuana and a marijuana pipe near the driver's seat of Jackson's vehicle, the release states. A lab analysis of Jackson's blood, which was taken at Paoli Hospital while he was being treated for injuries he sustained in the crash, also tested positive for marijuana, according to the release.

The release also states that a search warrant that was executed on Jackson's phone revealed that he was texting while driving. According to the affidavit, chat messages were exchanged between Jackson and another number from 2:23 p.m. to 2:41 p.m. At 2:44 p.m. Jackson placed an unanswered call to a contact labeled "Dad". The 9-1-1 call to Montgomery County Emergency Dispatch was received at 2:45 p.m.

As a result of the investigation, Jackson is charged with homicide by vehicle while under the influence, homicide by vehicle, DUI, recklessly endangering another person, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, unsworn falsification to authorities and related traffic offenses.

Jackson was arraigned today by District Judge Walter Gadzicki's, who set bail at 10 percent of $100,000. Jackson was released after posting bail, with the stipulation that he may not operate a motor vehicle. He was also required to surrender his driver's license.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 3 at 8:45 a.m. in Gadzicki's court.

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See also:

Vehicular Homicide Charges Filed in Royersford Jogger Death

Community Responds to Lewis Road Death

Pedestrian Killed in Lewis Road Crash