Police Investigate I-78 Crash Related to Illegal Passing on Shoulder

Pennsylvania State Police recently investigated a hit-and-run accident on I-78 east in Lower Saucon Township, which they said was caused by a driver who illegally passed another motorist on the highway’s shoulder.

In a public information report, an investigator from the Belfast barracks said the accident happened Dec. 12 at around 8:30 p.m. near mile marker 71.

Police said a 38-year-old man from Clinton, N.J., was driving eastbound in the left lane in a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica when the driver of a vehicle directly behind him drove onto the left shoulder and passed him, striking his driver side mirror while doing so.

Police said the vehicle that passed on the shoulder then continued traveling on I-78 east while the other driver pulled over near the accident scene to report what had happened.

According to the accident report, damage to the vehicle’s driver side mirror was not observed by the investigator.

The report said the vehicle that passed on the shoulder was reportedly a white 2019 Hyundai Tucson with a New Jersey registration.

“A follow-up with the registered owner (of the Hyundai) was attempted with assistance from (police from) Plainfield, N.J., which yielded negative results,” the investigator said.

Police said that neither the 38-year-old Clinton man nor his 56-year-old male passenger was injured.

If the other driver is identified, the report indicated that they would be cited for a traffic lane violation.