Three vehicles damaged in work zone crash

The construction zone off Route 248 in Palmerton was the scene of a three-vehicle crash at 11:20 a.m. Saturday, state police at the Lehighton barracks said.

The crash happened when a 2007 Pontiac G5, driven by Zachary S. Kobal, 24, of Lehighton, was traveling westbound in the right lane when the operator attempted to merge into the left lane, lost control of the vehicle and it crashed into the concrete barrier in the center of the highway.

Police said a 2013 Acura operated by Cathy L. Gordon, 37, of Nazareth, was traveling behind the Pontiac and stopped abruptly to avoid striking it, when the third vehicle, a 2017 Ford F250 operated by Larry T. Diehl, 20, of Walnutport, failed to stop in time and struck the Acura from behind.

Police said Kobal sustained minor injuries but refused a medical transport by the Lehighton ambulance, as did the other two drivers, and three passengers, one from each vehicle.

Police said the Pontiac and Acura sustained disabling damages and needed to be towed from the scene.

Kobal and Diehl were both cited.