SALISBURY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — One motorcycle rider in the township recently found out the hard way you can’t outrun the law.
Literally.
Salisbury Township Police Department conducted weekend enforcement near the township border with Fountain Hill Borough, Sgt. Bryan Losagio said Monday afternoon.
The patrols — on Broadway or on side streets just off Broadway — came during the opening weekend of Musikfest in Bethlehem.
One DUI arrest was after the vehicle fled police and crashed, which Losagio said will result in a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police.
“We see a higher traffic volume, and with that higher percentage you’re going to have more DUIs,” Losagio said. “In fact, we had three within a couple-block range.”
Tried to outrun officer 'who runs marathons for fun'
The first wave of enforcement came during a traffic detail late Friday, which wrapped about 2 a.m. Saturday, Losagio said.
A total of 71 traffic citations were issued and one wanted person was taken into custody during that detail.
In addition, a brief vehicle pursuit also turned into a foot chase, and one male who was suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol was arrested, Losagio said.
"[Fountain Hill] police had motorcycles take off from them," he said. "One was caught in the borough by their department."
The second fled east on Broadway, most likely not realizing that five Salisbury patrol units were conducting a speed timing detail, Losagio said.
That driver “pretty much drove right into the heart of our enforcement area," he said. "He was very quickly taken into custody after crashing the bike and trying to outrun Officer William Solly.”
Losagio said Solly “runs marathons outside of work for fun” and recently competed in the Boston Marathon (with a time of 3 hours, 8 minutes and 35 seconds).
80 violations total
Patrols late Saturday into early Sunday also saw three DUI arrests with multiple vehicle code violations, Losagio said.
Overall, there 80 summary traffic violations issued on top of the DUI arrests.
“What’s more concerning is not just the violations, but the fleeing after the violation," Losagio said. "We’re seeing a lot more of those.”
Police also are seeing a lot more "low cc" motorcycles and vehicles on the roadways, Losagio said, referring to the less powerful engines typically seen on mopeds or scooters.
Multiple law enforcement agencies in the area, including the Bethlehem Police Department and the state police, also increase DUI enforcement efforts during Musikfest.
The enforcement comes following a deadly weekend for motorcyclists, with three fatal crashes reported in Lehigh and Northampton counties.
