Three or more people were taken to the hospital late Saturday night (January 31, 2015) following a head-on collision on Claremont Avenue (SR309), near the intersection of East Main Street, in Rush Township.
Rush Township Police Sergeant Duane Frederick said Edward Farley, 47, of Sugarloaf, was driving a white 2011 Ford Taurus on East Main Street as he approached the fork in the road at the intersection to Claremont Avenue. Farley crossed over the double yellow line and traveled north in the south bound turning roadway. Frederick added that Farley entered Claremont Avenue, still traveling north in the south bound lane of Claremont Avenue, when he colliding head-on with a 2002 Nissan operated by Gabrielle Lech, 24, of New Ringgold. Lech was taken to a local hospital for unknown injuries. Farley showed signs of intoxication and was taken to Pottsville hospital for a blood test. DUI (alcohol) charges are pending the BAC results.
Frederick later added that Farley had a BAC reading of 0.152%.
This crash, which occurred around 10:30 PM, served as the third vehicle accident on SR309 in the area in less than 12 hours. Each happened within a mile of each other. The first occurred around 12:30 PM at the bottom of the Mile Hill, while the second occurred around 3 PM at the top of the Mile Hill.
Responding were Hometown Fire Company, Delano Fire Company, Quakake Fire Company and others. Multiple ambulance crews also responded.
Hometown Fire Police closed SR309 for about 45 minutes during the response.
Hope’s Collision and Towing removed the vehicles.
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