By RON GOWER rgower@tnonline.com
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RON GOWER/TIMES NEWS The front of an SUV is crimped beneath a garbage truck at 364 E. White Bear Dr., Summit Hill, this morning. The SUV ran into the rear of the truck at about 6:15 a.m., entrapping the driver who was alone in the vehicle. |
An SUV slammed into the rear of a garbage truck this morning in Summit Hill, seriously injuring the SUV's driver and just missing an individual picking up the trash.
The accident happened at about 6:15 at 364 E. White Bear Drive. The individual in the SUV, whose identity wasn't available this morning, was trapped in his vehicle for more than an hour.
He was transferred by Lehighton Ambulance to a local hospital. A request had been made for helicopter transport, but the crew of the chopper declined to fly because of weather conditions.
It doesn't appear road conditions were a factor. Although the roadway was wet when the accident happened, it didn't seem slippery.
The driver of the SUV was alone.
The front of the SUV went several feet under the rear of the garbage truck, with impact stopping at the vehicle's windshield. Members of the Summit Hill and Lansford Fire Departments literally dissected part of the SUV to free the driver.
Doors, the roof, and even seats were removed so the victim could be freed.
The driver of the garbage truck said although his truck is heavy, he was jolted by the impact. The truck is owned by Tamaqua Transfer.
An employee was within several feet of being in the path of the car. He said he was getting the garbage, located next to a mailbox, when the accident happened next to him.
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LARRY NEFF/TIMES NEWS Twisted wreckage is all that remains of an SUV after rescuers had to cut it away to free a motorist trapped in the vehicle after it struck a garbage truck this morning in Summit Hill. |
Summit Hill Chief of Police Joseph Fittos said it appears the garbage collection crew did nothing wrong.
"They were on the right side of the highway picking up the trash," he said.
The accident happened in front of the home of Peter and Faye Matyascik. Faye said she was drinking coffee at the time and Peter was in the front bedroom when they heard the crash.
"At first I just thought they were noisy with picking up the garbage," Peter said, but noted because the noise was louder than usual he looked outside and saw that an accident had occurred. He immediately called 9-1-1.
Peter said he then went out and realized the male inside the SUV was conscious.
"I held his hand and told him to 'hang on,'" Peter said.
Peter's daughter also went to the car and spoke briefly with the driver.
East White Bear Drive, in the area of the crash, was closed for about two hours, forcing many commuters to take a lengthy detour either through Lehighton or Lansford to reach their destinations.