Hilltown accident that killed a former firefighter is being investigated

Freda R. Savana

A Sunday morning traffic crash in Hilltown Township that killed a 35-year-old former Plumsteadville firefighter is under investigation by police and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, officials announced Thursday.

According to authorities, Joseph Kay died at the scene of an accident in the early morning hours at the intersection of Green Street and Rickert Road when the Polaris SUV Kay was riding in overturned as the driver fled from police.

Both the driver and the passenger were partially thrown from the SUV. The driver was not identified.

At 1 a.m. on June 2, a Hilltown police officer said he saw an unregistered vehicle on Mill Road and initiated a traffic stop after seeing the vehicle leave the road, fearing the driver may be impaired.

The driver failed to stop and fled about a half-mile down Green Street. While attempting to turn right onto Rickert Road, the driver lost control and the vehicle overturned, officials said.

Kay’s death was caused by blunt force trauma, the Bucks County coroner’s office said. The driver complained of pain at the scene of the accident but reportedly refused medical treatment.

Kay’s family described the crash as an “unexpected, tragic and heartbreaking accident” that took his life on what would have been his wife Rachel’s 30th birthday.

“My sweet, fun-loving, perfect husband passed away last night in an accident,” Rachel wrote on social media. “I will never get over this. I loved him every minute I knew him and will miss him for the rest of my life.”

Kay, a 2007 graduate of Central Bucks East High School, was an avid sprint car racer and competed in the Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series. The organization postponed the race scheduled for June 8.

On its Facebook page, the Plumsteadville Fire Company wrote: “It is with heavy hearts that the members of the PVFC share that we lost a friend and brother last night. Joe Kay will be missed forever; he is gone too soon brother. Your fire service family will always keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Hundreds of comments on social media expressed their deep sadness over Kay’s death.

“To know Joey was to know love,” wrote fire captain Andy Kiljanski. “He could light up a room with his infectious laugh and loved his friends and family with everything he had. A kind, generous, compassionate, beautiful soul who will be missed forever.”

A celebration of life will be held on June 8 at Coleman Hay Farm in Chalfont. At the request of the family, attendees are asked not to wear suits or all-black clothing.

“We want to see the joy of life that Joe embodied,” the family wrote.

A GoFundMe campaign was set up to help his wife with her financial obligations. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, over $87,000 had been raised.

According to the authorities, the vehicle should not have been on the road. Any charges will be brought in due course, the public prosecutor’s office said.

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