SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa. – A 37-year-old Allentown woman has died nearly two months after sustaining traumatic injuries in a rollover crash on Route 22, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.
Iris Crystal Mercado died Sunday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, a release said Monday.
The crash happened Saturday, Feb. 3, at 9:35 p.m. in the area of Route 22 eastbound at mile marker 318.2 in South Whitehall Township, Coroner Dan Buglio said in the release.
According to state police, Mercado was traveling in the left lane when she lost control of the vehicle. It began to travel from the left lane across the right lane, striking an embankment on the right shoulder. The car continued up the shoulder and back down onto the black top where it rolled.
Mercado was thrown from the vehicle.
It came to rest on its four tires against the median with the front of the vehicle facing northeast, according to the report.
Speed was a factor in the crash and Mercado was not wearing a seat belt, the state police report said, though it noted Mercado as 'not injured' prior to transport by Cetronia Ambulance Corps.
On Monday, a state police spokesman said the trooper was not aware of the severity of Mercado's injuries at the time of the crash, which was listed as approximately 9:42 p.m.
In addition to the coroner’s office, state police also are investigating.
