Driver charged in Polk Township collision where 4 were injured

Four people were seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash at 7:28 p.m. Thursday on Route 209 (Interchange Road), in the area of the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company in Polk Township. State police at the Lehighton barracks investigated and said the driver of one of the vehicles was charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

He is Dane J. Beers, 27, of Kresgeville, who was one of the injured parties. Police said he was transferred by the West End Ambulance to the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono, East Stroudsburg, and later transported to the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Salisbury Township.

The other people injured were Beers’ passenger, Natalie C. Hadley, 49, also of Kresgeville, who was taken to the Cedar Crest hospital by the Lehighton Ambulance; a 17-year-old female from Effort who was driving the second vehicle; and Melissa A. Duckworth, 36, of Saylorsburg, who was a passenger with the teen. The teen was transported to the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono by the Palmerton Ambulance, while Duckworth was taken there in the West End Ambulance and was later transferred to Salisbury Township.

Witnesses said aircraft medical transportation was initially requested, but the helicopters were unable to fly due to weather conditions, necessitating the ambulances from the three companies.

Police said the crash occurred when Beers, driving a 1998 Ford Ranger, was southbound on Interchange Road. The pickup drifted/crossed the double yellow line and entered the path of a 1998 GMC Sierra driven northbound by the Effort teen. Police said Beers attempted to turn left into the southbound lane, but the teen was unable to avoid the collision and the vehicles hit in the road. Police said the Ranger’s point of impact was with its front bumper area at the 12 o’clock position while the GMC’s point of impact was its right front bumper area at the 1 o’clock position, with both vehicles sustaining major disabling damages.

Police were also assisted at the scene by volunteers from the Towamensing and Polk Township fire companies.

Beers was also charged with driving without insurance, DUI first offense, possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to carry registration.

He is being held in Monroe County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail.