Driver Fled DUI Crash on I-78 in L. Saucon, Police Say

A 22-year-old Saylorsburg is facing DUI and other charges following an accident on I-78 west in Lower Saucon Township.

Pennsylvania State Police at Belfast said in a news release Monday that Anthony Kowalski was driving a 2007 Cadillac CTS near mile marker 68.3 on the evening of July 28 when the crash occurred.

Police said Kowalski was in the left lane, directly behind a Hyundai Santa Fe being driven by a 68-year-old New York man who was accompanied by a 69-year-old passenger.

When that vehicle began to slow for traffic up ahead, police said Kowalski rear-ended it, with the collision causing disabling front end damage to his vehicle.

Police said Kowalski subsequently “fled the scene prior to the arrival of emergency personnel,” but was located a short distance away.

They said both Dewey EMS and Lower Saucon Fire Rescue responded to the crash scene, along with a towing company.

Kowalski was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in Fountain Hill for treatment of a minor injury. The other driver reported minor injuries but refused treatment, and the report made no mention of injuries with respect to the passenger.

According to Northampton County court records, Kowalski is charged with four misdemeanors: DUI (.16 BAC or greater), Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury, Accidents Involving Damage to Attended Vehicle Property and Evading Arrest or Detention on Foot. He was also cited for disorderly conduct, a restraint system violation, driving without insurance, speeding, following too closely, Restrictions on Alcoholic Beverages, Duty to Give Information and Render Aid and Investigation by Police Officers-Duty of Operator/Pedestrian, according to the docket filed in his case in District Court 03-2-04 in Lower Saucon Township.

As of Monday, a preliminary arraignment had not been scheduled and the docket didn’t list an attorney for Kowalski.

Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty. This story was compiled using information from the Pennsylvania State Police at Belfast and Northampton County court records.