Willow Grove Crash Inhalant Related, Police Say

Abington Police arrested an Elkins Park man following a crash last month in Willow Grove. 

Jeremy Helstrom, 37, of Anselm Road, was arrested March 2 at about 7:45 a.m. shortly after he crashed into a utility pole in the 1700 block of Fitzwatertown Road while driving a silver Nissan Pathfinder, police said. According to police, Helstrom fled southbound on Fitzwatertown Road in his vehicle after he crashed into the pole; he was ultimately stopped near the corner of Fitzwatertown and Susquehanna roads.

Helsrom had slurred speech, glazy eyes and was responding slowly to questions, though he passed a field sobriety test, police said.

According to police, a witness who was driving behind Helstrom said the silver Pathfinder moved into the left-turn lane, swerved and struck the pole. The witness attempted to help Helstrom, but as the witness approached, Helstrom drove away, police said.

Helstrom’s blood tested positive for the presence of difluoroethane, which is found in inhalants like aerosol electronics cleaner. He was charged with DUI, careless driving and accidents involving damage to property. 

According to court documents, Helstrom was arrested two days earlier in Cheltenham Township for smelling or inhaling toxic releasing substances, and possession of a solvent for releasing toxic vapors and fumes.

His preliminary hearing in the Abington incident is scheduled for May 21 in front of District Justice John Kessler; his preliminary hearing for the Cheltenham incident is scheduled for June 14 in front of District Justice Christopher J. Cerski.