Jury Acquits Marlborough Man in Deadly Crash, Finds No Shared Responsibility

In a surprising turn of events, a Montgomery County jury has acquitted a 20-year-old Marlborough Township man of charges related to a fatal crash that claimed the life of a Hatfield Township woman. The jury determined that the young man, Evan Robert Buckman, did not share responsibility for the tragic incident, despite prosecutors' allegations that he was racing with another driver at the time of the collision.

Tragic Incident Leaves Community Reeling

Acquittal Brings Mixed Emotions

The jury's decision to acquit Buckman of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, and recklessly endangering another person charges has been met with a range of emotions. While Buckman's defense lawyer, Matthew Quigg, expressed relief and happiness that the jury agreed with their position, the prosecutors involved in the case, Deputy District Attorney Thomas W. McGoldrick and Blair Rohlfing, expressed disappointment with the verdict.McGoldrick acknowledged the jury's decision, stating, "Of course we have great respect for our judicial system and I respect the jury's decision completely but we are disappointed. I still believe that if Mr. Buckman wasn't racing the way he was racing with Mr. Jarrett that that in turn would have caused Mr. Jarrett not to be driving the way he was driving and Ida Lillo would still be with us today."

Tragic Circumstances and Conflicting Accounts

The fatal crash occurred on May 17, 2023, at the intersection of Bethlehem Pike and Bergey Road in Hatfield Township. Prosecutors alleged that Buckman was racing with Aidan Thomas Jarrett, a 20-year-old from Quakertown, when Jarrett's vehicle collided with a car driven by Louis Lillo III, with his wife, Ida Lillo, as a passenger. The impact of the collision caused the Lillo vehicle to flip and resulted in Ida Lillo's death and serious injuries to her husband.Buckman, who showed no outward emotion during the verdict announcement, did not comment on the outcome as he left the courtroom with his father. His defense lawyer, Quigg, emphasized the tragic nature of the situation, stating, "The important thing to think about and consider here and something that's not lost on Evan is the fact that somebody lost their life here and somebody else was seriously injured. While it's been our position from the beginning that he was not responsible for it, we're extremely happy that the jury feels the same way. It's just a tragic situation overall."

Conflicting Accounts and Circumstantial Evidence

The prosecution's case against Buckman was largely based on circumstantial evidence, including video surveillance footage and witness accounts that suggested the two young men were racing at high speeds prior to the crash. However, Quigg argued that there was no direct evidence that Buckman was racing with Jarrett or that his actions were a direct cause of the fatal collision.Buckman did not testify during the trial, but jurors were shown a videotaped statement he gave to police several days after the incident, in which he claimed he was "just following my friend." Quigg argued that the prosecution's case relied on speculation and guesswork, stating, "They want you to jump and speculate and want you to guess…that in some way Evan caused Aidan Jarrett to speed, race and drive recklessly. They want you to speculate and guess."

Separate Charges and Sentencing

While the jury acquitted Buckman of the more serious charges, Judge Wendy G. Rothstein subsequently convicted him of separate charges of illegal racing, speeding, and reckless driving, which are lesser summary offenses that carry fines or a license suspension. Jarrett, the other driver involved in the incident, had previously pleaded guilty to charges of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, and summary offenses of racing on highways and speeding, and is awaiting sentencing.The tragic circumstances of the crash and the conflicting accounts presented during the trial have left the community grappling with the aftermath of this devastating incident. The jury's decision to acquit Buckman of the most serious charges has raised questions and concerns, but the legal system has spoken, and the community must now find a way to move forward and heal.