One of three occupants of a vehicle involved in a crash Monday night in Upper Saucon Township has died, authorities said.
The 21-year-old Allentown man was a front-seat passenger in the vehicle that struck a utility pole, Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio said in a news release Wednesday.
The 20-year-old man who was driving and a 22-year-old woman also riding in the vehicle were injured and taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township, according to Upper Saucon police.
Police said the 21-year-old became trapped between the vehicle and the utility pole and had to be cut free from the wreckage by Upper Saucon and Lower Saucon township firefighters before being rushed to St. Luke’s University Hospital, Fountain Hill, by Upper Saucon EMS.
The male passenger was pronounced dead at 10:56 p.m. Tuesday at the hospital, according to the coroner.
Buglio was not immediately releasing the victim’s name and said the cause and manner of death were pending further investigation.
“The decedent has been identified and next of kin have been notified,” the coroner stated. “However, due to the sudden and unexpected nature of this tragedy, I am not releasing this individual’s name at this time to allow the family the opportunity to mourn privately.”
Township police did not immediately release the driver’s name or identify the woman who was injured.
The crash was reported about 9:15 p.m. Monday on Flint Hill Road just east of Forest Drive.
“According to the male operator, the vehicle was traveling eastbound at approximately ’30 miles per hour’ when the tires — described by the operator as being in ‘poor condition — lost traction,’” Upper Saucon police wrote in a news release. “The vehicle subsequently spun sideways and collided with a utility pole on the opposite side of the roadway.
“A nearby resident reported hearing a loud screeching sound followed immediately by a crash.
“Upon inspection of the scene, investigators observed tire marks on the roadway measuring approximately 50 to 60 feet in length leading up to the point of impact. The vehicle’s tires were found to be significantly worn.”