Thomas W. Druce
Encyclopedia
Thomas W. Druce is a former Republican
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
. He represented the 144th legislative district
.
He graduated from William Tennent High School
in 1979 and from Westminster College in 1983. He was sworn in to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
in 1993.
In 2000, he pleaded guilty to being involved in a 1999 hit and run
and served two years in prison before his release in 2006. The forensic invesigation of the case was the subject of an episode of Forensic Files
.
As pointed out in the Forensic Files episode, Mr. Druce initially filed a false insurance report, indicating the black Jeep
leased for him by the Pennsylvania taxpayers was damaged when he struck a traffic barrel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike
. After having the vehicle repaired, Druce returned the car to the leasing company, and it was eventually sold.
When questioned by investigators in response to an anonymous tip, he denied any involvement in the fatal hit and run accident that killed Kenneth Cains, a former U.S. Marine. He provided false information to investigators, denying any involvement in the death of Mr. Cains. He continued to falsely report that he had struck a traffic barrel in the state-leased vehicle.
Investigators located the vehicle and obtained it from the new owner. Forensic investigation yielded glass, fiber, and hair evidence. Paint and glass removed from the victim's body upon autopsy were found to match the paint and glass of the black Jeep driven by Druce. Hair recovered from the rear view mirror of the state-leased vehicle matched that of Mr. Cains, the deceased victim of Druce's accident. Fibers from Mr. Cain's blue jeans matched those recovered from the Jeep's wheel well. Seven months following the accident, Druce was charged with homicide by vehicle in the death of Kenneth Cains, as well as tampering with evidence,
insurance fraud and leaving the scene of an accident. Druce accepted a plea bargain, pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, evidence tampering and insurance fraud. In return he avoided a trial, served two years in prison and paid a civil fine to the victim's family.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
. He represented the 144th legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 144
The 144th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located within Bucks County, Pennsylvania and includes the following areas:* Hilltown Township* New Britain Township* Warminster Township* Warrington Township...
.
He graduated from William Tennent High School
William Tennent High School
William Tennent High School is a public high school serving grades 9 through 12, located in Warminster, Pennsylvania, USA.The school is the only public high school serving Warminster and Upper Southampton townships and Ivyland borough in the Centennial School District, located in Bucks County,...
in 1979 and from Westminster College in 1983. He was sworn in to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
in 1993.
In 2000, he pleaded guilty to being involved in a 1999 hit and run
Hit and run (vehicular)
Hit-and-run is the act of causing a traffic accident , and failing to stop and identify oneself afterwards...
and served two years in prison before his release in 2006. The forensic invesigation of the case was the subject of an episode of Forensic Files
Forensic Files
Forensic Files is an American documentary-style series which reveals how forensic science is used to solve violent crimes, mysterious accidents, and even outbreaks of illness. The show is broadcast on truTV, narrated by Peter Thomas, and produced by Medstar Television, in association with truTV...
.
As pointed out in the Forensic Files episode, Mr. Druce initially filed a false insurance report, indicating the black Jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
leased for him by the Pennsylvania taxpayers was damaged when he struck a traffic barrel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Pennsylvania Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a toll highway system operated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. The three sections of the turnpike system total . The main section extends from Ohio to New Jersey and is long...
. After having the vehicle repaired, Druce returned the car to the leasing company, and it was eventually sold.
When questioned by investigators in response to an anonymous tip, he denied any involvement in the fatal hit and run accident that killed Kenneth Cains, a former U.S. Marine. He provided false information to investigators, denying any involvement in the death of Mr. Cains. He continued to falsely report that he had struck a traffic barrel in the state-leased vehicle.
Investigators located the vehicle and obtained it from the new owner. Forensic investigation yielded glass, fiber, and hair evidence. Paint and glass removed from the victim's body upon autopsy were found to match the paint and glass of the black Jeep driven by Druce. Hair recovered from the rear view mirror of the state-leased vehicle matched that of Mr. Cains, the deceased victim of Druce's accident. Fibers from Mr. Cain's blue jeans matched those recovered from the Jeep's wheel well. Seven months following the accident, Druce was charged with homicide by vehicle in the death of Kenneth Cains, as well as tampering with evidence,
insurance fraud and leaving the scene of an accident. Druce accepted a plea bargain, pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, evidence tampering and insurance fraud. In return he avoided a trial, served two years in prison and paid a civil fine to the victim's family.