He belongs in prison for a very long time.

This is so tragic. A woman died and a young man has to live with what he did for the rest of his life. Very very sad.

Now you can comment all you want

Thank goodness he's finally been charged. Let's hope the justice system doesn't fail the Thompson family.

By the number of charges involved.....hope that the amount of prison time is lengthy. Recently a young person driving in front of me was in the wrong lane headed off the road. I hit my horn hard to get their attention. My reward...they went back into their lane......and I received a middle finger out the window. But I bet I saved a life.

The kid is lucky, didn't see death by motor vehicle or a similar charge.I hope the dead woman's family has the strength to carry on with their lives because of one stupidity. I guess Steven Krause is the kid's family because he doesn't care nor did he comment about it because it sounds like he feels that the kid did nothing wrong - no heart!

What do I expect? 18 years old and responsible enough to follow the law like all other citizens. There is a reason we have laws in this country! How about the children who lost their mother because of the carelessness of this 18 year old?!? It's called responsibility for your actions. Accountability. Praise to law enforcement!

Seriously Ryan??? He killed a person because he was under the influence and texting while driving. If you are old enough to have a drivers license you are old enough to take responsibility for your actions behind the wheel. The fact that you think he should be charged less because he is 18 is appaling to me. I have been a runner for 18 years and now run with an ID bracelet on so if some idiot like this runs me over bc they were texting and not watching the road the paramedics know who I am. But hey he's 18 and we shouldnt expect anything from 18 year olds so lets just let is slide. Its complete and utter bull s**t!!

Ray-Ray, He did get homicide by vehicle...first part of the article.

Ryan, How can you say he does not deserve to be crucified. Did you read the article:

driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana

Just the two above charges alone, means he was only thinking of himself and could care less about others. They should stick a needle in his arm and be done with it.

All I can say is thank god he's 18 and can be charged as an adult. I feel so sorry for the poor family who had to suffer such a tragic loss. All because of one stupidity. I hope our legal system doesn't fail us in this crime. Idiotic kid.

In general I would ask all readers to answer an honest question. Were you 18 years old once? Did you do reckless things? If you answered honestly then the answer would be yes. Second question, did you kill anyone? Hopefully the answer is no, I would implore everyone to pray for the victim and the young man involved. This is a tragedy for both the victim and the accused. May God hear all prayers and let him be the judge, not the readers. <><

i totally agree that he should get punished. It's absolutly horrible that this poor family has to go on without this woman. i couldn't imagine life without someone i'm close to. But for everyone to seem to see this kid in the same light as these monsters shooting places up is just a bit much to me. I mean no disrespect at all.

Ryan, he did murder her. If he had used a gun instead of a car, you would be calling for more gun laws. If he had killed 3 friends in his car, you would be calling for restrictions on the number of riders.

I think he got what he deserved. We now have something appropriate to tell her young children.

I understand all of your anger i didn't mean to offend anyone i just know i've done enough in my life that i don't have any right to judge anyone. It's nice to know that there are some many that live without sin in our area that we can all feel a little safer. I hope everyone involved can find their personal peace.

Pretty sure homicde w/ vehicle while under influence only has a 10 yr max. It's a 3rd degree felony. Add another 2ys maybe for drug offenses and communication device use while driving... This kiddo will skate and the family will forever be changed!

Yes some 18 yr olds are wreckless and stupid but there are also 18 yr olds who are conscientious and law abiding. You cannot tell me that this kid did not know that driving "under the influence" of whatever it was, was illegal. My daughter is 15 and she has had this drummed into her head since she has had health class. Texting while driving is also illegal and you can't tell me that this isn't well known either. Then he lies to police and they find more pot in his possession? Maybe he didn't go out for a drive with the intent to kill this lady but when you drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your vehicle becomes a weapon just like a gun. You are the "trigger' person and you are the one who controls it. The minute you get behind the wheel of a car under the influence and then proceed to take your eyes off the road to text, you are a dangerous weapon, and furthermore RESPONSIBLE for any injuries or deaths that occur from this. I hope they lock him up for a decent amount of time to get this point across. This is something that should not be treated with a slap on the wrist because we feel sorry for him. He didn't feel sorry for the lady when he got behind the wheel. He was only out for a good time. Let him spend a few years behind bars and maybe he will learn something. I don't think he deserves the same as a murderer but definitely substantial time. He ruined many lives and families by this wreckless act. The loss cannot be fixed.

Ryan, wake up pal. You would be singing a different tune if it happened to someone you loved. And it's probably not the the first time he has been intoxicated behind the wheel. Let alone texting.

I was 18 once. I was never drunk or high at 2:00 in the afternoon or while driving my car.

As an adult I make a conscious effort to not even *talk* on my phone while driving. You know what I do when the phone rings or dings??? I leave it and answer it later.

KTHXBAI

I can only pray that other young drivers read this article and take it to heart!!! Instead of just locking this kid away for a couple years where he becomes even harder in jail, make him volunteer in a funeral home, clean up morgues after autopsies, attend funerals do something that hopefully will open his eyes and have a long term impact on his life...going to jail is a crock after the initial shock of being there..and at 18 he will get to take college courses, go on work release etc..I say, Rehab him by putting him in situations that will make him remember why he is in jail!!

May others learn from this and may she rest easy. I feel for her 3 young children & husband that are left behind. He deserves everything he has coming. Hopefully no one pays his way out so he can learn a lesson!

This is a lose,/ lose ,heartbreaking story.This young Man has ruined his life and Taken another. He will have to deal with that. being 18 or 80 it is what it is. Im surprised it does not happen more often. we live in a selfish ugly world Nobody tells me how to drive or what to do seems to be the code of the highway anymore I dread going out anymore. so much hate and anger amongst folks on the road. God help us all.

At that time of day, he could have very easily killed several elementary school children too. No one says to themself, I am gonna get high and/or have a few drinks, maybe I will hit someone today and take their life, HOWEVER...it does happen !!!!!!!

Someone needs to tell this story at every school. Save some lives in the future....

Jogging down a road with guard rails and a double yellow line doesn't look that smart either

So much negativity said. I feel for both families and for all the negs, just as he killed her by carelessness and just as it could have been us or our kids or someone we love or frien it could very well be one of our kids or family members and so on who do or maybe done the same thing. Let's not bash this kid and think about my comment. God bless both families.

Passing this off as almost forgivable because he is 18 is a real underlying problem with the way we are raising our children these days. No malicious intent... The second he lit up and picked up that phone, his intention was to devalue all of the lives around him. Sure ... He probably didn't mean to kill an innocent runner, but he certainly didn't mean to behave in a way to protect her from danger

Two fams are hurt by this....if he didnt have weed on him then the blame would have been put on the fact she was jogging where there was no side walks. He just left his high school he didnt smoke or txt at the exact time of the incident but yes has weed in his system like 90% of the h.s. kids. Accidents happen. But people shouldnt get so worked up over what news says. Reports are always 50% of actual story

I am so thankful that it's not me nor my young adult children that was involved in this tragic incident, both families needs prayer/support/positive thoughts, it doesn't do neither family any good to read negative comments about their situation, so if u can't say anything nice/don't say anything at all

What he is charged with and ultimately what he ends up being convicted of are 2 different things. I'm sure he will get a just punishment for his crime and he does have to live with this the rest of his life.

Updates on this story also my site: http://www.threatcore.com
This is a developing story (with a lot more to come) and I am getting lots of tips...a LOT!

The majority of the angry comments left are based on people trying to sweep this under the rug like its okay because it was a young kid driving. This society has become a "lets all pray for everyone and just let it slide" society and no one is held accountable for their actions anymore. Do I feel bad for the families involved, of course but it doesnt mean people shouldnt be held accountable and things shouldnt change so this stops happening.

I agree with the poster above who said make him and other young kids start doing their time in funeral homes and morgues as a wakeup call vs sitting in a cushy jail cell. No none of us were perfect at 18 (or now) but there is an increasing number of pedestrian deaths due to young kids texting while driving and something needs fo be done.

Oh and to the person who said if he wasnt high it was her fault for running where there wasnt a sidewalk you have to be kidding right??? Last I checked there's no law that says you must run on a sidewalk and i dare you to try and go for a run over two mins long that doesnt involve some sort of roadway without a sidewalk. For those of us who dont just jog around the block for 10 mins staying on sidewalks is impossible. I mean how dare runners expect to go out for exercise. I will be sure to run in circles around my living room from now on so if someone runs me over while texting and high there will be no question on who to blame.

This happened a quarter mike from my house. I used to jog along Lewis rd but there is no sidewalk on too many parts of it and I knew it was just a matter of time before someone was hit along there because of the trend of kids today using drugs and texting while driving. Both are rampant. There is a park with jogging paths right near by much safer. And if you are a parent, teach your kids the right way to behave so they don't grow up to be this kind of young adult, who ruins a families life and his own. Hard lesson.

Why was Mrs. Thompson jogging on the road? The road is filled with drug addicts, alcoholics, texters, and just distracted drivers... He's guilty of breaking several laws and unfortunately he has to live with his consequences... but I don't know how many near accidents I've been involved in swerving to not hit joggers and bikers on the road. This is all so sad.

Dear Ryan,
A mistake is picking up plain M&M's when you meant to by peanut M&M's.
A crime is snuffing out the life of an innocent person.
And Chris - at least he has the rest of his life to live. The same can't be said for Ms. Thompson. A truly "just" punishment would be a life for a life.

To call what he did a mistake is to grossly downplay the crimes he committed and the importance of the life he took. This was not an innocent kid who made a simple error while driving. Justin knowingly got behind the wheel while under the influence, proceeded to drive as he always does (that is, with no regards to anyone's safety), and then, because this none of that is bad enough on its own, chose to pull out his phone and text. This was not a mistake, anymore than playing a game of Russian roulette is a mistake. I sincerely hope he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Yes, this was a terrible accident, but its NO excuse for it. He destroyed a family, left a husband w/o his wife and their two children w/o a mom. Its called being RESPONSIBLE for which he was not.

This was not just an accident as in "accidents happen ". I drove a bus full of students past the site minutes after it happened and for him not to have reacted after he crossed the road and rode on the dirt he had to be high or speeding or both. That poor woman was already gone when we passed and my prayer was that she never knew what hit her.

Homicide by Vehicle While Driving Under the Influence is a Felony of the 2nd Degree. If convicted of Homicide by Vehicle in Pennsylvania, you will be required to serve a three year mandatory term of imprisonment for each victim who has been killed as a result of your DUI. The sentence is consecutive for each victim which means if two people are killed in the crash, you will be serving six (6) years.

In order to be convicted of Homicide by Vehicle While DUI the Commonwealth must prove three (3) elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance;
in order to be convicted of homicide by vehicle one must be found guilty of driving under the influence before he or she can be convicted of homicide by vehicle. Separate trials are not required and proof of a particular blood alcohol content (BAC) are not required.
The death of another person; and
Death as a result of driving under the influence
the Commonwealth must establish a causal connection between the defendant’s intoxicated driving and the accident which resulted in the death of the victim.

Although the mandatory sentence for this charge is three (3) years in prison, the maximum sentence for this crime is ten (10) years incarceration. It is the trial court’s discretion to sentence you accordingly.

so just on that charge he can get 10 years. my bet... his lawyer and the da plea bargin to just the 3-10 and waive driving under the influence of a controlled substance, unsworn falsification to police, reckless endangerment, possession of marijuana, driving on the left side of the road, texting while driving, reckless driving and careless driving. If it goes to trial the commonwealth will through the homicide and all the other charges at him. He will get 10 years... be out at 28. And will have been eaten up by the corrections system.

If this man was not 18 would you say the something? If this man was 30+ these people on here who think it's sad because he's young&did a stupid thing,I think would a different opinion! I knew drugs were going to be involved because my son goes to school with this kid & he is known as the go to person for drugs. .......hmmmmm still think he's a good person?

He didn't feel remorse after it happened because he was high but i would like to know more if he feels any. Is he just worried about himself out does he truly understand he needs help? I also think he will be able to try for drug court, I could be wrong?

I expect my son soon to be 18 years old to understand what's right from wrong and to be able to make good decisions that are responsible since he's an ADULT. ...... isn't what parents are for. ....... we are to guide them through their life and in still in them what good choices are so they can grow up and become responsible adults.

I feel for Merlinda and her family. She most likely went for a run before her boys came home on the bus that day, thinking she could get a run in and be back to see them after school. ............ because that idiot is a jackass she will never see anyone ever again and that quick run was the end of her life!

Ryan I agree with Laura and if that peanut m&m was given to his friend who was deathly allergic by mistake because he was high on drugs and was driving and texting and have it by accident i still think life for life!

The poor woman is dead. The driver is at fault. It's that simple. He should not have gotten behind the wheel of a lethal weapon in his state. For all those who might consider doing so, it could be you next. For a certain young lady that I know who was fortunate not to have struck anyone or anything while in the same state, WAKE UP!

This young man did not wake up that morning thinking today I am going to kill someone. He went to school and make a conscious choice to smoke weed before, during, and/or after school. That was not an accident. Then he made the decision to get behind the wheel of a car while still under the effects of the pot. That was not an accident either. Something became so important it couldn't wait for hi. To pull over to text a friend/family member. This was also not an accident. The choices he made all day had a horrible outcome which lead to the tragic death of this young woman who made the choice to jog along Lewis road. Everyday our world is a series of choices for which we don't know what the consequences should be. Young people today need to be held accountable for the decisions they make. I know growing up I may not foreseen the full consequences of what could happen, but I knew enough that I could expect an appropriate punishment from my parents, which enough to make me think twice before doing something. I do feel bad for the young man who caused the accident, but just because he made bad decisions done not mean he should not be held accountable.

Kid was wrong.....simple...very dumb and hope he spends many days behind bars...and I hope they, the judge asks where he got his stuff from...need to crack down on the dealers up at sf....someone is selling to these kids..who

Just see all those kids atb7-11

Love to be on this jury

Burn baby Burn, enjoy the joint as much as you enjoyed that joint......

Just another pathetic LOSER from this lost generation. I sure his Mommy and Daddy are so surprised that their little spoiled brat could do such a horrific thing, send him away and throw away the key, NEXT

As someone who is recently out of high school in this area (3 years ago), it is a sad but true fact that 90% of the students smoke. Many people might argue this because they don’t know their kids are doing so. By getting behind the wheel of the car in that state it IS his fault and he SHOULD be charged accordingly. There is a large drug problem in this area and schools, and kids view it as "just a plant, not a drug". I feel like the drug problem should more of a focus at this point with how out of hand it is getting. To say this man should be charged with a “life for a life” is ridiculous. It was a STUPID mistake that hurt many, but not deserving of death. If it was YOUR son you would view it differently. But let me guess, if it was YOUR son you would have taught him better? I have my own son. And as he grows up I will hope to bring him up the best I can. But I know and accept he is going to smoke weed, as well as drink. That is just the type of environment the world is anymore, and it is only getting worse. All you can do is hope is your children, who 9 times out of 10 are most likely smoking a joints with their friends or at someone’s house drinking while they are “out at the park” or “at the mall” are making good choices and don’t end up in his position; and that your own family is not victimized by the decisions of the rising number of derelicts in this entire county. This is a tragedy where no one wins. And I feel unbelievably sorry for both parties.

Sad all around, but what if he killed your mom or your sister. There are no lessons truly for our kids anymore. It is all very sad, but our society allows some parents to go into the schools and Yell/complain/explain their kids problems away. They leave laughing how they got their kid out of trouble. (so many times by complaining) And the "good kids" are mocked for being good, but this is just another example of a failed system. Family system, education system Society system. No authority is really allowed to the schools so how do they actually work? There have to be consequences and responsibilities learned. This is a very hard lesson. Its a shame he hadn't been made to learn this sooner.

Hey Elliott Peters...... you are a IDIOT

Maybe you should give yourself back to God. You will see what he is putting down. The man works in very mysterious ways. Don't be a hater

You know Elliot, there are some things you just cant explain. Things are not just black and white all the time. You just have to believe and hope your soul doesn't get burnt to a crisp in your next life.

He is poop. Just a big fat Turd.

This poor boy, will be paying in an adult jail and have to live with this for the rest of his life, His family has to live with what he has done. There will be two children growing up without their mother. He also missed another driver, who witnessed the accident - and went back to see if he could help - has impacted his life too, there was a bus full of children who passed the scene immediately after this happened - they too will be living this scene in their heads for a while too. Nothing can be done to turn back the clock and its everyones heartache. Hopefully, the families will all be able to get help, overcome their grief and focus on the future. It only takes a split second for so many peoples lives to change.

So did he admit to smoking beforehand or are they just going by what the lab analysis says? There is no way to determine when the cannabis was taken into his system like there is for alcohol. The API is lipophilic and stays in the systems for a period of days, weeks if the user is chronically taking the substance.

He may be on a constant high, or at least constantly affected to some degree - maybe not. Depends on his habit. I really wish there was a better way to measure because THC can stay in the system for up to a month. If he had smoked days earlier it may not have affected his driving, but would show up in his system. Who knows?... But I digress - opinions are like a** - h***s, everybody's got one - and mine is that I'd bet the real culprit here that made the kid cause this tragedy is texting. So what do the phone records show - they ought to be able to show if the texting was happening at the time of the crash. The report says it was, somebody else here (a friend in the know?) says it wasn't. So which is it?
Christmas day a few years ago there was a head-on on Gravel Pike in Zieglersville that left a young girl dead, her victim in the other lane maimed. To engage in this practice of texting you have to take YOUR EYES OFF the road. IMO, this makes it more dangerous than weed, alcohol, and verbal phone usage as well. (NOT that I'm condoning any of them). When you sit in the left turn lane and wonder why traffic isn't moving after the arrow comes, and the driver of the lead car has their head down with their arms at their sides - wonder what they're doing?! This is an occurrence most of us see every day, and it needs to be eradicated.

BTW- my comments were in response to the first article read, I just saw an updated version with the details that show lab results indicating THC usage within two hours of the incident, ( didn't realize that could be narrowed to that degree) and looks like texting at the same time or within seconds - guess that's hard to prove if the records round off to the minute, and the crash took but seconds. The comments by some (at Royersford Patch ) where the belief seems to be that "everybody has texted while driving" is a bit of an eye-opener - that's a real interesting perspective and can only come from someone that grew up with this technology. Scary.

Please someone find me weed that will last two hours!!

He who is without sin shall cast the first stone

I wonder how many out there
are for the legalization of pot

I wonder how many out there have never caused an accident or had a traffic violation endangering the public

and i quess none of you never texted while driving or had that phone held to your ear with one hand on the wheel also illegal, because it's unsafe and how many of us were just plain lucky we didn' t cause a crash

the police and the media like paint a person in the worst possible light because they the public will eat it right up, like what's going on here

how many will say lewis rd. is a good place to jog ?

hasn't society taught our young this kind of behavior ?

so if we just rid society of this person, it will then be a beautiful place !

I wonder how many of you will be checking your cell phones today while your driving but will say it's OK to just check it !

Mr Handley:
It's funny Idiot's like yourself are the first one's to make derogatory comments about the Police. People like yourself are the first one's to scream for the Police if you happen to become a victim of a crime,"Typical Hypocrite".

some of you seemed so appalled that your own neighborhood has produced such a monster, Dou you know where your own kids are ?

I get a laugh about the TAKING YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD BIT I wonder if this person uses a GPS ?

we sure have o lot of safety wonks out there, i wonder how many of them pass on the right, exit from the left, think it's ok to break the speed limit, flash their lights to warn others about speed traps ?