A multi-vehicle crash on May 27th at approximately 7:49 p.m. along New Elm Street in Conshohocken (Plymouth Township) has led to the arrest of 34-year-old William Joseph Gruber III of Conshohocken (according to court documents, his social media states West Conshohocken).

Gruber was charged with Aggravated Assault By Vehicle While DUI, Endangering Welfare of Children –
Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, and five other related charges. A preliminary arraignment was held on May 28th before Magisterial District Judge Todd Stephens, and bail was set at $50,077.00. Gruber was unable to post bail and is currently confined to the Montgomery County Prison. Why the $77.00? In Pennsylvania, adding $77 indicates that the accused has an active probation or parole detainer.

Court documents reveal that when first responders were initially called, the scene included three vehicles, an entrapped woman, and an entrapped child. First responders from the Borough of Conshohocken were first on the scene and were able to extract the woman from her vehicle and the child, who was a passenger in Gruber’s white truck. The woman was in critical condition and was transported to a local hospital, where she underwent surgery. The child, who was in a child safety seat, was transported to CHOP with unknown injuries.

The Plymouth Township Police Department, which is investigating the incident, taped off the area and closed the roadway. This took place at the border of the two municipalities.

According to police, during an interview at the scene, Gruber stated that he had been having an issue with the gas pedal on his white truck sticking. When asked if he consumed alcohol, police state he offered that he had a couple of sips. After a field sobriety test, Gruber was placed into custody on suspicion of DUI.

Gruber, who did have injuries, initially declined transport to the hospital, but the doctor on call stated that due to alcohol, Gruber could not refuse. Gruber did eventually complain of pain and asked to be taken to the hospital. When police asked to test his blood, he refused.

A male driver of the third vehicle was also transported to a local hospital, treated, and released.

In court documents, witnesses told police that Gruber’s vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on West Elm Street (which becomes New Elm Street), that it was in the wrong lane, and that he ran the red light at West Elm Street and Colwell Lane. Video provided to police is also described in court documents as showing Gruber’s vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.

In addition to the three vehicles involved being damaged, court documents stated that the investigation found that two parked vehicles, a yard, and a street sign were also damaged.

Gruber’s next court date is a preliminary hearing on June 9th before Magisterial District Judge Jodi L. Griffis.

All suspects, defendants, and individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The allegations, charges, and information published herein are merely accusations and do not constitute final convictions.

Photos: Submitted by a reader