A Lehighton man is dead after being involved in a fatal crash Sunday morning along Route 209 in Nesquehoning.

The crash occurred at 5:30 a.m. as the victim was driving southbound about a mile east of the intersection with Route 93. Apparently the victim struck or attempted to avoid striking a porcupine entering the roadway.

The car struck the animal then swerved to the left crossing the two lanes of travel entering the east berm where it collided with a stone storm drain abutment.

The car then flipped onto its roof coming to rest in the northbound lane.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Carbon County Deputy Coroner Robert Miller.

Route 209 was closed for several hours.

Nesquehoning police officer Carl Breiner is investigating the incident.