A 35-year-old New Jersey man died in a crash after fleeing from state police Wednesday night on Route 22 between Lehigh and Northampton counties.
The man was driving his truck eastbound in the westbound lane while fleeing, prompting the trooper to hit the truck with his car, which caused the truck to overturn on the highway in Bethlehem Township, according to a state police news release.
The man, identified as Juan Diaz, of Newark, was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, where he was pronounced dead about 10:50 p.m.
A trooper initially pulled him over on Route 22 eastbound about an hour earlier near mile marker 324 in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, the release states. He fled after being stopped, and the trooper followed.
The vehicle fled eastbound and at one point continued into the westbound lanes. The trooper hit the back of his truck with his vehicle, causing the truck to overturn and stop in a grassy area, near mile marker 330 in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, according to police. Diaz was ejected from the truck, the Lehigh County Coroner’s office said.
Police provided medical assistance at the scene before Diaz was taken away by ambulance. Route 22 was closed in the area for several hours while troopers investigated the crash.
The coroner’s office is trying to locate Diaz’s next-of-kin. He may also be known by Jose J. Diaz Sanchez. Anyone with information is asked to call 610-782-3426 or email danielbuglio@lehighcounty.org.
State police are investigating the crash. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.