Motorcyclist escapes police after three-county chase

State police at the Lehighton barracks said a motorcyclist who fled from a trooper on Route 248 at 9:07 a.m. Thursday led officers on a chase through Northampton and Lehigh counties before the chase was terminated.

Police said the trooper saw a disabled Harley-Davidson along the eastbound shoulder of Route 248, and upon making contact with the unknown operator saw vehicle code violations.

The operator fled the scene, continuing eastbound on Route 248 through Lehigh Township in Northampton County and onto Route 145 southbound into North Whitehall Township.

Police said the pursuit ended when the motorcyclist led responding units onto Route 22 westbound, near the Route 309 ramp.

Police were assisted by state police from the Bethlehem barracks as well as officers from North Whitehall Township.