A Lehighton man who had taken another person’s vehicle in Lehighton faces multiple offenses after he crashed the car in Nesquehoning, had drugs in his possession and fled the scene.

Brandon Kuklentz, 24, of Main Road, was charged with accident involving damage, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license is suspended, driving without a license, careless driving, disregarding traffic lanes and failing to notify police of accident/damage to a vehicle.

According to Nesquehoning police, on Oct. 12, officers were dispatched to the area of 600 E. Catawissa Street for a vehicle crashing into a utility pole.

Police said the driver, later identified as Kuklentz, fled the scene and ran toward the woods. Police saw the vehicle, a 2015 Hyundai Elantra, had heavy front end damage and had struck a PPL utility pole.

They also saw a yellow wax packet containing heroin on the roadway outside the passenger door. A second packet was found inside the vehicle.

Police were also notified that Lehighton police had a notice out for the vehicle, which was being driven by Kuklentz.

At 3:25 a.m., police saw a man outside Turkey Hill matching the description of Kuklentz. He had dried blood on his face and appeared to have a fresh cut.

Police spoke to Kuklentz and he admitted having three needles in his pocket.

He was then taken into custody and told Nesquehoning police that he was the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash. He also admitting shooting up earlier in the day but denied that the yellow packets were his.

Kuklentz was then transported to Lehighton and released.

He faces a preliminary hearing on the charges before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek on Dec. 6.