Illegal Passing Preceded DUI-Related Crash, Police Say

A Freemansburg man has been charged with DUI following a hit-and-run accident on Route 378 that left another motorist injured, Lower Saucon Township Police announced in a news release.

According to police, Wilfred Dixon, 58, of the 600 block of Ramblewood Lane, was seen illegally passing vehicles before he struck another vehicle as he attempted to pass it in the area of Dr. Feelgoodes.

Both vehicles were pushed across the double yellow line and Dixon's vehicle then struck a third car, which was oncoming in the southbound lane, police said.

The driver of that car, who police identified as a woman from Florida, was injured, authorities said.

Dixon allegedly fled the scene of the accident at high speed, but not before a witness obtained his license plate number, police said.

Police later located him on West Eighth Street in Bethlehem, where they said they found both airbags deployed in his car and heavy front end damage.

Police said Dixon was still sitting in the front seat of his car and DUI was suspected because of "the smell of alcohol emitting from Dixon" and the discovery of an open bottle of liquor in his possession.

In addition to DUI, Dixon is charged with hit-and-run involving injury, an open container violation, and several traffic offenses, according to police.

Police said the accident happened June 14 at about 4:11 p.m.