HANOVER TWP., Pa. — A passenger died in a crash Thursday night that shut down Route 22 for hours, state police said.
The Northampton County Coroner's Office identified the victi as 27-year-old Joey A. Vega II, of Wind Gap, PA. He died of multiple blunt force trauma and the manner was ruled accidental, the coroner's office said.
The crash happened at 9:36 p.m. in the westbound lanes of Route 22 in Hanover Township, Northampton County, near the Route 512 exit.
State police said the operator of a Mercedes-Benz was speeding and tried to pass another vehicle, a Ford Escape, in the right lane.
The Mercedes sideswiped the Ford and the driver lost control of the Mercedes, sending it veering off the highway and into a tree.
Vega was the front-seat passenger in the Mercedes, according to the coroner's office.
State police said he was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
The Ford came to rest in the left lane of the westbound highway.
State police did not release the identity of others involved in the crash and said the investigation was continuing.
