West Penn Township Chief of Police Brian Johnson discovered a crash while on patrol early Wednesday.

At 2 a.m. as Johnson was traveling south on Route 309 about a mile north of the intersection with Route 443 in South Tamaqua, the chief saw what he thought were marks leading off the roadway onto a private lot. Johnson investigated.Johnson found two heavily damaged trucks and an overturned welded steel sign in front of the Anthracite Welding company. A pickup was lying on its side a distance from the two trucks. An 18-year-old West Penn man was ejected from the wreckage and was severely injured.The victim, whose name was withheld, had his license for just one day, Johnson reported.Johnson called for help, including a medical transport helicopter realizing the severity of the injuries.West Penn Fire Company No. 1 responded to the scene and set up a landing zone on Dairy Road near Route 309.The victim was treated at the scene by members of the Tamaqua ambulance and Lehighton paramedics before being flown by Penn Star helicopter to the St. Luke's Hospital Trauma Center in Bethlehem.West Penn fire police maintained traffic control at the scene.Johnson said the crash possibly occurred several hours before it was discovered.Officials at the scene said the injuries are reported to be life threatening.