A minivan and a motorcycle impacted sometime after the driver of the minivan made a U-turn over a concrete median on Route 61 in Tilden Township. The motorcycle driver died as a result of the crash that occurred on Sept. 11 at 2:26 p.m.
According to an initial investigation, Tilden Township Police report that on Route 61 (Pottsville Pike) in the northbound lanes just south of the Interstate 78 eastbound exit, a 2008 Toyota Sienne minivan driven by Ursula Pohl, 82, Flemington, N.J., made a U-turn over the concrete median to get into the northbound lanes of travel.
A 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Dean Steigerwalt, 53, Lehighton, and his passenger, Bridget Steigerwalt, 52, whose name had been previously withheld, were heading northbound.
At some point shortly after Pohl had made the U-turn, the front of motorcycle impacted with the rear of minivan.
Steigerwalt was declared dead at the scene. His passenger, Bridget Steigerwalt, was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital with serious injuries. Both were not wearing helmets.
Pohl was not injured.Police report that it is unknown at this time whether the U-turn was the primary cause for the crash.
The investigation is continuing. Tilden Township Police Department and the Berks County Crash Reconstruction Task Force are actively investigating. Tilden Township Officer Jose M. Quinones is the investigating officer.
As the investigation progresses, further information will be released. Anyone that witnessed the crash is asked to call 610-562-9001.
