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State police at Bethlehem - crashes

State police at the Bethlehem barracks reported the following crashes:

• Police said the operator of a 2006 Suzulight vehicle was found to be deceased after it crashed into a tree at 1:19 a.m. March 6 at 4960 Mountain Road, Heidelberg Township.

Police did not provide the name of the person, who they said was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana.

• Allen G. Mack, 55, and Brent T. Merkel, 34, both of Slatington, were injured in a three-vehicle crash at 6:05 p.m. April 29 on Route 873 in Washington Township.

Police said Mack had a minor injury to his lip while Merkel was transported to an area hospital for suspected minor injuries to the head, neck and back.

They said the crash occurred when Mack, driving a 2012 Nissan Altima southbound, failed to stop for a 2007 John Deere Gator operated by Merkel after the latter stopped in an attempt to turn left onto Jay Street. Police said the Altima struck the Gator, forcing it into the northbound lane where it was hit by a 2007 Toyota Corolla driven by Joseph E. Takacs, 64, of Palmerton. He was uninjured, police said.

They said the Altima and Gator had disabling damage, while the Corolla had functional minor damages.

Police said Mack was cited for driving while his license is suspended or revoked.

• Julius J. Acre, 24, of Effort, was uninjured in a hit-and-run crash at 4:17 a.m. April 13 on Willowbrook Road, Allen Township.

Police said he was driving a 2020 Honda Civic that was struck by a 2025 Kia Sportage after both vehicles had been occupying their respective lanes. They said the driver of the Sportage turned outward and sideswiped the Honda before fleeing.

• Cody J. Shellhammer, 34, of Breinigsville, was cited after a one-vehicle crash at 2:24 a.m. May 4 on Saegersville Road, Heidelberg Township. He was uninjured in the incident.

Police said he was driving a 2022 Toyota Tundra southbound when he swerved to avoid striking a deer that had entered the road. The Tundra went off the left side of the road, traveled into a yard and then hit a large ditch and shrubbery.

Police said through their investigation it was determined that Shellhammer was operating the vehicle in an impaired state.

• Tracy W. Morris, 53, of Jim Thorpe, was uninjured in a two-vehicle crash at 9:30 a.m. May 5 on Route 309 in North Whitehall Township.

Police said she was driving a 2018 Ford Econline southbound on Route 309 when an unknown vehicle ran a steady red light on Orchard Road, striking the Econoline on its passenger side.

Police said the driver of the unknown vehicle fled the scene.

The Econoline had minor damage after the crash, police said.

• Diamond I. Lopez, 28, of Slatington, was cited for driving under the influence and failure to drive at a safe speed after a one-vehicle crash at 2:38 a.m. May 5 on Old Post Road, North Whitehall Township.

Police said she was driving a 2007 Hyundai Elantra north when it left the road and hit a metal guide rail before continuing northbound and striking a guide rail.

They said the vehicle was heavily damaged and towed from the scene.