What was supposed to be a day of honor for fire victims turned into a second tragic event.. This time the horror of the situation brought national and global attention to both Berwick PA and Nescopeck PA, and scarred residents for some time to come..
An event planned for Saturday August 13 at the Intoxicology Department Bar on Second Street in Berwick was set to create a fun atmosphere with music and frivolity, but it deeper meaning:
Raising money for the family who lost three children and seven adults last week in Nescopeck.
Those words now appear to be haunting after witnessing what occurred during the fundraiser..
As the event was taking place, a man drove his car through the crowd at the Intoxicology Department bar..
BERWICK HORROR
State Trooper Anthony Petroski said 18 people were hit by a vehicle while gathered at the Intoxicology Department bar in Berwick. According to the PSP, the crash left one person dead and sent 17 people to the hospital.
Columbia County Coroner Jeremy Reese told Eyewitness News the person dead at the scene of the crash was a 50-year-old woman. The identity of the woman is being held until additional family notifications can be made.
There were multiple confusing reports in the ‘fog’ of the immediate aftermath of the attack.. One suspect.. two suspects. Rumors abounded online, and even nationally known Steve Lookner covered the story on his channel Agenda Free News..
What we know now is this: After the crash, Pennsylvania State Police said they received a call for a male that was physically assaulting a female. Upon arriving on the scene, troopers found the female deceased and the suspect in the Berwick attack was taken into custody by municipal police.
Luzerne County Coroner Francis Hacken said the victim of the homicide was Rosa D. Reyes– the suspect’s mother. She died after being struck by a car and assaulted multiple times with a hammer.
THE AFTERMATH
As we write this, here is what is known:
As of 2 p.m. August 14, a representative from Geisinger provided this update on 15 of the 17 patients:
- 8 patients are being treated at Geisinger Medical Center Danville
- 5 are in critical condition
- 3 are in fair condition
- 4 have been treated and released
- 1 Patient has been treated and released from Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital
- 2 patients have been treated and released from Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
Trooper Anthony Petroski could not confirm whether the crash into the crowd of people was intentional, but did say troopers would release information as it is available.
THE FIRE
From reports in early August:
A ruling on the manner of death for all 10 – classifying the deaths as accidents or homicides, for example – is pending the results of the state police investigation into the fire, officials said.
Positive identification of the victims is also pending review of medical records, dental records and DNA if required, the coroner’s office said.
State police said seven adults ranging from late teens to age 79 were killed along with children aged 5, 6 and 7.
A firefighter on the scene was related to victims of the house fire.
THE SUSPECT
State troopers have charged Adrian Oswaldo Sura Reyes, a 24-year-old male from Nescopeck.
According to court records, bail has been denied.
Here is the moments when his identity was revealed to media.. His only words were “I’m sorry.”
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
And one with deeply tragic human emotions.. May comfort be found by those grieving not just one, but now two different and profoundly disturbing events.
