On Saturday May 21, 2022, The Palmer Township Police Department, along with the Palmer Township Fire Department were dispatched to Main Street in Palmer Township, in the area of Vanburen Road for a motor vehicle accident, reported to be with individuals trapped. While responding, additional reports were received that a male was trapped in a vehicle that was on fire.  The Township police and fire personnel arrived on scene within two minutes to find a two-vehicle head on collision on Main Street west of Vanburen Road. A survey of the scene confirmed that one male driver was unconscious and trapped in one of the vehicles which was on fire.

An in-depth investigation was conducted, and with the assistance of video surveillance from buildings along Main Street, it was determined that the involved Volkswagen was engaged in a street race with another vehicle along the west bound lanes of Main Street just prior to the Volkswagen striking a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Investigators were able to identify the second associated racing vehicle and that driver, who has been cooperating with authorities throughout the investigation.

“Main Street in our Township, which travels between Tatamy Borough and Upper Nazareth, in the last few years has gone from cornfields to warehouses, businesses, and highway interchanges, which has created an increase in vehicular and commercial tractor trailer traffic, which makes lawful vehicular traffic dangerous. This incident proves that unlawful vehicular travel on this or any roadway was or could be nearly a deadly consequence”

On Tuesday the Palmer Township Police Department filed charges on the driver that caused the accident on May 21^st. Nyjah Golphin (23) of Easton has been charged with the following criminal charges;

This was an unfortunate yet horrific accident that could have been prevented if only the rules of the roadway would have been lawfully followed. Like most jurisdictions in the Lehigh Valley, Palmer Township’s vehicular traffic has grown in the last few years, so when this type of driving action occurs, it places everybody on the road in danger.

A preliminary hearing will be scheduled through the attorneys and District Court.