HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday and the Pennsylvania State Police announced charges, including vehicular homicide, against a Bucks County woman for causing a vehicle crash in January that killed two people and injured a pregnant woman.
Tori Gutshall, 29, of Quakertown, was charged by state police on Wednesday with two counts each of homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, and accidents involving death (while not licensed), and related offenses.
Gutshall was arraigned and bail was set at $200,000.
According to the investigation, Gutshall was speeding and speaking on a cellphone, in rainy and foggy conditions, when her vehicle crossed into opposing traffic on John Fries Highway and struck a vehicle head-on. The occupants of that vehicle, Aaron and Christie Bisschop, died at the scene.
“Every driver has a tremendous responsibility while behind the wheel of what can be a deadly weapon,” Attorney General Sunday said. “In this tragic case, the defendant’s choices to speed and talk on the phone — in poor weather conditions — led to this horrific crash.”
On January 31, Gutshall was driving northbound on John Fries Highway in Bucks County when she swerved into the southbound lane, striking the Bisschop’s vehicle head-on.
Before coming to a stop, Gutshall’s vehicle struck a second vehicle, occupied by a pregnant woman, who was hospitalized with minor injuries.
An eyewitness of the crash said Gutshall’s vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the crash.
The case was referred to the Office of Attorney General by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Madelyn Abry. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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