‘Significantly Worn’ Tires Cited in Injury Crash on Flint Hill Road

UPDATE: The Lehigh County Coroner’s office announced Wednesday that the 21-year-old front seat passenger in the vehicle that crashed on Flint Hill Road died late Tuesday at St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill. Along with the coroner, Upper Saucon Township Police and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office are investigating the accident.

Tires police say were found to be “significantly worn” are being cited as a likely contributing factor in a motor vehicle accident with injuries that occurred on Flint Hill Road in Upper Saucon Township Monday.

According to a news release published online on the Upper Saucon Township Police Department’s Crimewatch site, the single-vehicle crash happened around 9:15 p.m., just east of the intersection with Forest Drive.

Police said that’s where the driver of the vehicle lost control, spun sideways and collided with a utility pole along the opposite side of the road.

The release indicated that a nearby resident heard “a loud screeching sound” immediately followed by the sound of the crash.

Police said the vehicle ended up “wrapped around” the pole and was removed by a tow truck after three people who were in it were tended to.

They said a 20-year-old man who suffered a head injury and a 22-year-old woman who suffered an undetermined injury were both taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, while a 21-year-old man who was trapped between the pole and the vehicle was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital-Fountain Hill for treatment after being extricated from the wreck. Both Upper Saucon EMS and Dewey EMS responded to the scene.

Police said the male driver told them he had been traveling east at about 30 mph when his tires “lost traction.”

They said the man admitted the tires on the vehicle were in “poor condition,” and that a subsequent investigation revealed they were “significantly worn.”

Investigators said they also observed tire marks approximately 50 to 60 feet long on the roadway, leading up to the point of impact.

Flint Hill Road was temporarily closed while the rescue operation and police investigation were under way.

The news release did not identify the driver or indicate whether charges may be filed.

Upper Saucon Township Police said the crash remains under investigation.