A Tamaqua driver is facing charges after he was involved in a crash in which his passenger was seriously injured. State police at Fogelsville said the crash occurred at 6:47 a.m. on Dec. 28 along Kings Highway in Lynn Township, Lehigh County.

Troopers said William G. Stettler, 19, was driving a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 truck eastbound at a high rate of speed when he fell asleep at the wheel. The truck traveled off the right side of the road striking a utility pole causing the pole to break into two pieces. The truck then re-entered the road and went immediately off on the right side a second time, striking a ditch. Due to impact with the ditch the truck began to roll over multiple times down a large embankment. The truck came to final rest at the bottom of the embankment on all four wheels.

A passenger, identified as Faith L. Gintz, 18, of Neffs, was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled over and was found laying in the vicinity of the truck

Gintz was taken by Cetronia ambulance to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, with suspected serious injuries. Stettler sustained minor injuries and was found inside the truck.

Stettler was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance. He has been charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, careless driving, driving a vehicle at an unsafe speed and not having insurance.