FLORENCE: Pedestrian dies after vehicle strike

Man hit while walking with father on Route 130

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   FLORENCE — A son died before his father’s eyes after a vehicle struck him while the pair walked southbound on Route 130 just after midnight Sunday.
   Patrick Whalin, 25, was pronounced dead after impact, according to the Florence Township police.
   ”Our thoughts and prayers go to all involved in the accident. We especially express our sympathy for the deceased and his family,” said Mayor Craig Wilkie on Tuesday.
   ”They were walking in the lane of travel on Route 130 southbound and (Mr. Whalin was) basically struck by the vehicle,” said Acting Capt. Brian Boltizar of the Police Department.
   He told the Register-News that police arrived on scene in less than a minute.
   Capt. Boltizar said Mr. Whalin suffered liver and head injuries.
   ”He was obviously upset,” said Capt. Boltizar of Mr. Whalin’s father, who was not taken for medical treatment after the 12:06 a.m. accident.
   ”It occurred just south of John Galt Way,” Capt. Boltizar said.
   The 37-year-old Pennsylvania driver, from Bensalem, was traveling southbound in a Kia Sorrento sport utility vehicle on Route 130 when she struck Mr. Whalin, although she did not hit his father, according to police.
   The accident is still under investigation and the driver’s name was not released as of press time.
   Florence Township Emergency Squad and Florence Fire Department were both on scene.
   Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation. However, the police did not foresee any charges, according to Capt. Boltizar, who spoke to the Register-News on Tuesday.
   ”We have one last inspection to do on the vehicle. I do not anticipate any charges for the driver,” Capt. Boltizar said.
   The name of Mr. Whalin’s father was unavailable as of press time.