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Crime & Safety

Tractor-trailer Pushes Vehicle into Woods

Van travels 30 feet and up embankment in Upper Milford, but only minor injuries reported by police.

A tractor-trailer recently crashed into the rear of a van in Upper Milford Township, pushing that vehicle into woods and up an embankment, according to police.

The van's occupants were slightly hurt, but did not require medical treatment, said .

James M. Amplo, 56, of Pottstown, Montgomery County, was driving the Ford Econoline E-250 van on Chestnut Street, also known as Route 29, at 5:25 p.m. Aug. 18. He was stopped for a vehicle in front of him that was turning about 1/4 mile from Batman Road, police said.

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A Freightliner tractor-trailer, driven by John J. Kovatch, 28, of Nesquehoning, Carbon County, came up behind Amplo's van and was unable to avoid impact, police said. The van was pushed off the road, traveled 30 feet and came to rest up an embankment. The tractor-trailer traveled an additional 60 feet before stopping.

Amplo received minor injuries but did not require medical treatment, police said. The same was true of his passenger, Stephen R. Girard, 26, of Blue Bell, Montgomery County.

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Neither Kovatch nor his passenger, Trajan S. Koerbler, 27, of Nesquehoning, was injured, police said.

Kovatch was cited for driving at an unsafe speed, police said.

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