A Pennsylvania state police vehicle.

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A man died after striking two Pennsylvania State Police troopers with his pickup truck during a traffic stop and fleeing before crashing into a building, authorities announced on Sunday, Dec. 7. 

Troopers with PSP Troop M–Fogelsville attempted to stop a 1999 Ford F-150 at approximately 12:13 a.m. on Lehigh Street near 29th Street when the driver — a 27-year-old Allentown man — refused to pull over, according to the release. As troopers exited their patrol vehicle to take him into custody, the driver accelerated and struck both troopers in an attempt to cause serious bodily injury, investigators said.

The troopers got back into their cruiser and continued the pursuit until the pickup lost control near 12th Street and Vultee Street. The truck hit a fire hydrant, a utility pole, and then the Lehigh Valley Logistics building at 1801 South 12th Street, where the impact threw the driver from the vehicle, state police detailed. 

Troopers immediately rendered aid until Allentown EMS transported the driver and both troopers to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest. The man was pronounced dead at 12:45 a.m. by the Lehigh County Coroner. 

The driver was operating the vehicle when it lost control and crashed in the 1800 block of South 12th Street, resulting in his ejection. An autopsy will be performed Monday, Dec. 8, according to Coroner Daniel Buglio. His identity has been confirmed, and next-of-kin have been notified, but his name is being withheld during the ongoing investigation. 

Both troopers were treated for their injuries and released, PSP said. The PSP Troop M Major Case Team is leading the investigation with assistance from Allentown police, fire, and EMS, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, Troop M forensic units, crash reconstruction specialists, and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.