Two drivers and a passenger suffered injuries Sunday in a violent rear-end crash on SR309 three miles north of Tamaqua, in Rush Township.

Township police said a 2004 Jeep driven by Madeline Leonzi, 73, Hometown, was stopped on Claremont Avenue (SR309) in the southbound direction waiting to turn left onto Pine Street in the vicinity of Two Kings Restaurant. Leonzi's Jeep was struck from behind by a 1992 Isuzu driven by Plutarco Abreu, 55, of Reading.Leonzi and her passenger, Regina Paulovich, 65, Coaldale, were injured in the crash. Abreu also suffered injuries and was taken to Hazleton General Hospital for treatment and a blood/alcohol content test. Police said Abreu is facing a charge of driving under the influence and other charges.The accident took place at 5:07 p.m. Both vehicles were severely damaged and had to be towed. Debris was strewn across all four lanes of the highway.Responding with police were Hometown Fire Company, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Ryan Township EMS, and area firefighters and ambulances. The road was closed in both directions during the rescue and cleanup. Hometown fire police rerouted traffic.Heavily traveled SR309 in Hometown has been the site of numerous accidents over the past few months.