Police News: One killed in New Year’s holiday crashes investigated by State Police

One Killed in New Year’s Holiday Crashes Investigated by State Police

One person was killed and 86 were injured in the 377 crashes investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police during the New Year’s holiday driving period.

From Dec. 31, 2012, through Jan. 1, 2013, state police investigated a total of 377 crashes. Of those, 55 were alcohol-related.

Troopers made 184 arrests for driving under the influence and issued 1,884 speeding citations during the holiday period. State police also cited 233 individuals for failure to wear seatbelts and cited an additional 32 for failure to properly restrain children in child safety seats.

During last year’s four-day New Year’s driving period, 10 people were killed and 172 were injured in 552 crashes investigated by the state police. The holiday period began on Dec. 30, 2011 and ended on Jan. 2, 2012.

These crash numbers cover only those incidents investigated by the state police and do not include statistics on crashes that were investigated by other law enforcement agencies.

State Police
Dec. 26: 1:20 p.m. crash on Schweitz Road near Gressley Road in Rockland Township. There was a steady snowfall and the roadway was covered with snow. Tyler Soltes, 18, Fleetwood, lost control, crossed the opposing lane and then struck several rocks and came to rest against a utility pole. Soltes sustained minor cuts and lacerations to the face. He was wearing a seat belt, the airbag deployed. He refused EMS treatment at the scene. The vehicle was towed.

Dec. 30 to 31: Agricultural Vandalism reported. A vehicle drove through a wheat field on the east side of Lutz Road 50 yards northeast of Daniel Road in Greenwich Township. About $400 of damage was caused to the winter wheat. Anyone with information is asked to call State Police Hamburg at 610-562-6885 ext 3. Refer to L04-1256062.

Jan. 4: 9 p.m. crash on Old 22 east of Saddle Road in Greenwich Township. Michele Reimert, 20, Lenhartsville, was traveling east when the front wheel “locked up” causing the 2000 Nissan Altima to cross the oncoming lane and strike the guide wire and then struck a tree and rolled onto its roof, blocking the westbound lane.

Then Austin Bower, 18, Lenhartsville, was traveling west on Old 22. Richard Reimert, 52, a passenger in Michele Reimert’s vehicle, was standing by Michele’s car talking on the phone. Bower swerved to avoid striking the vehicle but struck the driver side rear. Upon impact, Bower’s vehicle, a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am, spun clockwise and struck Richard Reimert knocking him down the west embankment.

Michele and Richard Reimert and another passenger, Carole Reimert, 54, were injured. They were transported via Hamburg and Kutztown EMS to Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Berks-Lehigh Regional Police
Between Dec. 24 and Dec. 30, Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Department, which disbanded on Dec. 31, responded to 169 assignments, 33 assists, 24 accidents, three animal cases, two parking citations, 28 alarms, 26 EMS calls, three fire calls, and two traffic citations.

Dec. 28: domestic disturbance on Walnut Drive, Topton.

Dec. 28: burglary on Siegfriedale Road, Maxatawny.