Lehighton crashes
State police at Lehighton reported on the following crashes investigated by troopers.
• On Jan. 10 at 4:32 p.m. a one-vehicle crash occurred along Penn Forest Road in Towamensing Township, Carbon County. Troopers said William T. Pfluke, 30, of Jim Thorpe, was driving a 2016 Nissan Frontier when it rolled over. Pfluke was injured and take to St. Luke’s Hospital, Franklin Township, Carbon County, for treatment of suspected minor injuries.
Troopers cited Pfluke for driving a vehicle at a unsafe speed.
• A two-vehicle crash was reported at 5:06 p.m. on Jan. 11 along Route 115 in Ross Township, Monroe County. Troopers said Dean M. Eilenberger, 52, of Saylorsburg, was driving a 2009 GMC truck westbound behind a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban operated by Julie P. Tonkay, 51, of Saylorsburg. Tonkay was stopped in the road attempting a left turn into a business parking lot when Eilenberger failed to stop and his vehicle struck the Suburban.
After impact the Suburban continued to travel about 500 feet and struck bushes in front of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church. The GMC continued to travel about 600 feet and came to final rest on the shoulder of the road.
Tonkay and a 14-year-old male passenger, from Saylorsburg, both suffered serious injuries and were taken to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Pocono Campus, East Stroudsburg. Macey and Gavin Tonkay were also passengers and taken to the hospital with suspected minor injuries.
Eilenberger was not injured. Both vehicles had to be towed.
Eilenberger was cited for the crash.
• A one-vehicle crash was reported at 8:24 a.m. on Jan. 11 along Route 903 in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County. Troopers said a 17-year-old boy from Jim Thorpe was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier southbound when he said he heard a noise coming from the vehicle.
At this point he attempted to negotiate a left turn in the road but was traveling too fast to negotiate the turn. The vehicle then entered the northbound lane and onto the berm where the front end and undercarriage struck a culvert. The vehicle continued and struck three small trees before coming to rest.
The teen was not injured but the vehicle sustained heavy damages to the undercarriage and was towed. He was cited for the crash.
• Troopers reported a two-vehicle crash occurred at 5:32 p.m. on Jan. 13 along Route 895 in East Penn Township, Carbon County.
The drivers were identified as William P. Mooney, 59, of Andreas, driving a 2016 Toyota Rav4, and Sandy L. Bauer, 67, of Palmerton, driving a 2005 GMC Envoy. Troopers did not give any details of the crash.
Troopers indicated Mooney and a passenger with Bauer, Shirley A. Kocher, 87, of Palmerton, sustained suspected minor injuries and were taken to St. Luke’ Hospital, Lehighton Campus, Franklin Township, by Lehighton ambulance.
Troopers also indicated that Mooney was cited for vehicle entering or crossing a roadway.