Driver hospitalized after car flips, knocks out power to hundreds in Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A driver was hospitalized after a car flipped and struck a utility pole Thursday morning, knocking out power for hundreds of residents near Illick’s Mill and Schoenersville roads.

The crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. next to the Mobil gas station, where witnesses reported that the driver attempted to speed through a yellow light but swerved to avoid a turning vehicle. The car hit a utility pole, which caught fire and was uprooted from the ground.

Emergency crews extracted the driver, who appeared conscious but injured, and transported him to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest. A hospital medical professional happened to be at the scene and assisted, which witnesses described as unusual.

Anthony Negron was behind the driver and saw the crash.

“He came to the light, it was yellow, he went and gunned it,” Negron said. “The person who was making the left made the left. He tried to avoid it and he hit the pole. He is alive. He was talking.”

Other witnesses reported seeing a transformer explode after the impact.

PPL Electric Utilities could not immediately be reached for comment. According to the company’s outage map, more than 460 customers in the area lost power. Restoration is estimated by 7 p.m.