A man who survived a terrifying crash on Route 222 said he still remembers the moment of impact.
"It happened in the blink of an eye, but it seemed like it was slow motion at the time," said Tom James, who didn't think the truck would ever stop.
Wednesday started as a typical day for James. He was driving to work north on Route 222 in Maidencreek Township when he said an out-of-control tractor trailer crossed the center line and headed right for him.
"That car was on his front bumper coming towards me and I just kept trying to move to the right side of the road and I ran out of real-estate, and the next thing I know I was spinning," said James.
Surveillance video from a nearby business showed the 18-wheeler barreling down 222 before impact. The truck sliced through several vehicles, killing Jane Harakal, 32, of Topton, and Jeremy Augustine, 23, of Emmaus, outside the Dunkin' Donuts, said authorities.
Police said the two victims were inside the first and the last vehicles hit.
"It just wasn't my time," said James.
Steven Bernier, 49, of Reading, is still behind bars on two counts of homicide by vehicle charges. Authorities said he dozed off behind the wheel of the truck and was driving too fast. Surveillance cameras at Dunkin' Donuts captured the accident, which led to the district attorney filing charges so quickly.
Police are now researching Bernier's driver's profile. He worked for Cougle's Recycling Inc. in Hamburg for about a year, and neighbors told 69 News he was putting in long hours for extra money.
"He did say that he was working a lot and I remember about a week ago he said he picked up some extra hours and I was telling him you got to rest some," said True Portalatin, who lives directly next door to Bernier.
Police said they will be checking to see if the truck's brakes and steering were in compliance, and they're trying to figure out how fast Bernier was going. The district attorney said the investigation could take weeks.
Meantime, funeral arrangements for Jane Harakal were announced late Thursday.
Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Ludwick Funeral Home, 333 Greenwich St., Kutztown.
Calling hours will also be held Wednesday from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 14833 Kutztown Rd.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to "The Jack M. and Benjamin R. Harakal Education Fund," c/o Ludwick Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 292, Kutztown, PA 19530.
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