Lower Macungie Crash Causes Gas Leak, Evacuation

A pickup crashed into three Lower Macungie condo garages, causing a gas leak that led to the temporary evacuation of 12 condos.

An 87-year-old Lower Macungie man crashed his pickup truck into three garages Thursday morning while attempting to back out of his driveway, causing a gas leak that required the temporary evacuation of 12 condominiums. No injuries were reported at the scene at Letterkenny Lane and Donegal Drive but the driver was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest for a medical evaluation, according to state police from Troop M Fogelsville. The driver, John Howard Stevens of 6530 Letterkenny Lane, told Patch that the accelerator pedal seemed to malfunction and accelerated beyond his control, crashing the pickup.  The emergency was originally reported as a house explosion about 10:30 a.m. at 2892 Donegal Drive, which is in the Legacy Oaks 55-plus …

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JR

9:11 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012

Right. My dad and uncle should not have been driving. Luckily they got ill and died before they could have a horrible accident. I am 66 and I would not drive if I was tested and told that I was no longer a safe driver. When we get older, we need to get into the passenger seat if we are a threat to the safety of the public. I wouldn't like losing the freedom but I would face the reality.   more ›

Orefield Teen Dies in Lower Macungie Crash

William Bickford, 19, of Orefield was killed in a rollover crash in Lower Macungie on Friday night

An Orefield teen was killed late Friday when he was partially ejected from his car, the car rolled over and he was pinned beneath, according to police. William David Bickford, 19, was driving southbound on Route 309 at 10:59 p.m. when he lost control of his car on a left-hand curve, according to state police at Fogelsville. His 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt went onto the shoulder and struck a concrete barrier of the Interstate 78 overpass. The car continued for about 100 feet before rolling and partially ejecting Bickford. Police said he was not wearing a seat belt. The Lehigh County coroner's office was called, police said. Area roadways were wet because of daylong rain, but police did not say whether that contributed to the accident. Emergency …

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Crime and Fire

At Least 7 Reported Hurt in Lower Macungie Crash

Accident with rescue is on Hamilton Boulevard near Interstate 78, scanner reports say.

Seven or eight patients reportedly were hurt Saturday night in a serious accident requiring rescue in Lower Macungie Township, according to scanner reports. At least five ambulances were dispatched about 8:25 p.m. to Hamilton Boulevard and Interstate 78 for a motor vehicle accident with trapped victims, according to scanner reports. An unconfirmed report stated a car was overturned with three children trapped. A transmission from the EMS officer in charge confirmed seven or eight patients, but did not detail the severity or age. A later transmission from the fire officer in charge stated that two victims were extricated. Three vehicles were involved, according to an emergency news service. No details about the cause of the accident were …

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