State police at the Bethlehem barracks reported this week a man who was driving a vehicle that struck and killed a Slatington man on Route 873 in Washington Township in April admitted he was texting while driving when the accident happened.

Police said Michael Hausknecht, whose age and address were not provided by police, is facing charges of homicide by motor vehicle as a result of the incident. He has not been formally charged.

Police said they were summoned at 2:36 p.m. April 20 to the area of 5844 Route 873 for a pedestrian having been struck by a vehicle. It was determined a 2018 red Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck struck the victim, Richard Erickson, 48, who was walking north within the northbound shoulder of the road prior to the collision. Police said the pickup truck approached the victim from behind, with the driver failing to observe him, resulting in the vehicle’s front-right end striking the victim from behind.

Police said the victim suffered significant life-threatening injuries as a result of this collision. The offending vehicle sustained functional damages to the front-right end, and remained on scene until emergency response arrived.

Police said officers arrived on scene and rendered aid to the victim until EMS arrived on scene. Northern Valley EMS subsequently transported the victim from the scene to Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, where further life-saving measures were taken.

Meanwhile, police said investigators took measurements of the scene and captured photographs of the scene. PA Route 873 was closed as a result of this crash.

Police said Hausknecht was interviewed at the scene of the collision. It was deemed he was not under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance; he did not have a medical emergency; he was not tired; nor did the vehicle experienced any failures.

They said text message activity was requested, and upon Hausknecht’s consent, a limited phone review was conducted, revealing incoming and outgoing text messages within the timeline this collision occurred.

Police said Hausknecht subsequently agreed to come to PSP Bethlehem station for a subsequent interview on April 26. They said the investigation revealed during a third interview with Hausknecht, he ultimately confessed to actively texting and manipulating his cellphone at the time of striking the victim. He further admitted to never seeing the victim prior to striking him, due to manipulating his cellphone.

Police said Erickson died on May 3 at the hospital.

They said a forensic download of the cellular telephone was completed and subsequently reviewed.

Upon reviewing the data, evidence of text-based messaging, unlocking the cellphone, and other related user activity indicated Hausknecht was actively using and manipulating his cellphone at the time he struck Erickson.

In a press release posted on the state police website on Tuesday, police said, “In the interest of transparency, it is the policy of PSP to disseminate information regarding incidents which are likely to generate significant interest among the public and media in a timely manner ... Information provided should be considered preliminary and subject to change as additional investigative details emerge.”