One-car accident early Oct. 18
By:Sue Kramer
Two people were killed early Wednesday morning when their vehicle veered off Route 32 south of Aquetong Road and plowed into a stone barn on the historic Thompson-Neely House property in Washington Crossing Historic Park, Solebury Township, Pa.
Solebury Township Police Chief Richard Mangan said his department is conducting a "major investigation" into the cause of the one-car accident that killed the driver, Ryan G. Winfrey, 26, of Hillcrest Ave., Morrisville, and his passenger.
Mr. Winfrey died at the scene. The male passenger in Winfrey’s car, who was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in critical condition, later died of injuries received in the accident. His name is being withheld pending notification of his family.
Solebury police said the initial investigation into the cause of the accident determined that Mr. Winfrey was driving south on Route 32 about 2:35 a.m. when he crossed the northbound lane, left the road and hit the barn, landing upside down inside the building.
The Solebury Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Upper Makefield Township Police, New Hope Borough Police, Eagle Fire Company, Upper Makefield Fire Company, Midway Fire Company, Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad, Yardley-Makefield Rescue Squad and Central Bucks Rescue.
The Thompson-Neely House played a critical role in the Revolutionary War. The house was the headquarters for General Lord Stirling and his men, one of whom was Captain James Monroe, who later became the fifth president of the United States.
The Thompson-Neely House was one of three places that was used by General George Washington to plan his infamous Christmas night crossing of the Delaware River in which he launched a surprise attack on British soldiers in Trenton in 1776. The house, which was built in 1702, is now a museum in the Washington Crossing State Park.
Park employees declined to comment on either the accident or the history of the stone barn.
Historians believe the site is where John Pidcock established a residence circa 1678 or 1679. He is believed to be one of the first white settlers to the area near the creek that bears his name.
Historians say he made friends with the Leni Lenape Indians, set up a trading post and built some sort of abode almost exactly where the Thompson-Neely House stands.
The late Frank Raymond Pidcock had a commemorative stone placed in front of the house in 1938 that makes reference to John Pidcock. The Pidcock Family Association wants to have the name revised to incorporate Pidcock as well as the former owners, the Thompson and Neely families.