A convenience store owner and his clerk were arrested in connection to a fatal car crash.
The crash happened along State Road in Pottstown back in May. Police say Roger Tracy Malloy, 27, was driving a gold-colored Lincoln Continental when it crashed into a utility pole, spun into a yard and hit an oil tank. Malloy and some of his passengers were smoking K2, a brand of synthetic cannabis, inside the car, according to a police criminal complaint and affidavit. The affidavit also states someone yelled, "slow down, you're going 60 miles per hour," moments before the crash happened. Police claim the vehicle belonged to Malloy's sister.
Four passengers were in the car when it crashed. One of the passengers, Rachael Witt, 15, was pronounced dead at the scene. A second teen, Kendal Harper, 16, was transported to Reading Hospital.
James Crawford, 28, was also in the vehicle. He was rushed to Pottstown Hospital. He was pronounced dead just after midnight, police say.
After the crash, Malloy and another male -- his brother -- reportedly pulled everyone out of the car and then fled from the scene of the crash, according to the Montgomery County prosecutors.
The next day, prosecutors sent out information asking for the public's help in finding Malloy. Around 1:30 p.m. police had Malloy was in custody, they told NBC10. Malloy was caught on camera walking to court for an arraignment while in handcuffs. As he walked, Malloy tearfully told reporters he was sorry and that "it was an accident." He was charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.
Investigators identified Rafie Ali and Himed Mohamed as the people who sold the synthetic marijuana to Malloy before the accident. They were arrested on Monday.
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“While I cannot and we cannot stand here and file homicide charges against the store owner and his clerk, make no mistake they do have blood on their hands,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.
Today’s arrests are the first in Montgomery County since new state laws went into effect last year making it illegal to sell synthetic drugs.
