1 dead and 2 injured in traffic accident in Northampton County

Police continued to investigate a two-vehicle crash in Lower Nazareth Township County on Tuesday that left a 67-year-old Montgomery County resident dead.

State police identified the deceased as Susan Henderson. The Norristown woman was pronounced dead at St. Luke's Hospital-Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township. The Northampton County Coroner's Office determined that Henderson died of multiple blunt force injuries, and the cause of death was ruled a homicide.

According to police, an unidentified 27-year-old driver and a male passenger were injured and taken to St. Luke's Anderson campus for treatment.

State police spokesman Trooper Nathan Branosky said he had no current information on the condition of the male driver or when he would be tried for manslaughter.

According to a press release from the state police:

Just before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Colonial Regional Police on Route 191 observed a 2018 Mercedes Benz committing a traffic violation on the highway. The driver then turned right onto Hecktown Road and headed east at a high rate of speed.

In the 4100 block of Hecktown Road, the driver of the Mercedes lost control and collided head-on with Henderson's westbound SUV while Henderson was driving in the oncoming lane.

Traffic was detoured on Hecktown Road between Cobblestone Lane and Frank Street until at least 5 p.m., Branosky said.

He said state police were called in to investigate at the request of Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta.

Colonial Regional and Bethlehem Township police began providing medical care before emergency responders arrived. In addition to police and the coroner, Bethlehem Township EMS and Hecktown Fire Department also assisted.

Originally published: August 27, 2024 at 3:03 pm