| Thomas W. Druce | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 144th district |
|
| In office January 5, 1993[1] – September 25, 2000[2] |
|
| Preceded by | Jean Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Katharine M. Watson |
| Constituency | Part of Bucks County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 18, 1961 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Amy Schreiber |
| Alma mater | Westminster College |
| Occupation | Legislator |
Thomas W. Druce is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represented the 144th legislative district.[3]
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.[4][5] 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.