Motorcycle Pursued By Police Crashes On Route 222

A motorcyclist being pursued by police was seriously injured when the bike crashed on Route 222, near Kutztown, Monday afternoon.

Police said Austin Lawless, 20, was hit by a SUV at the intersection of Route 222 and Long Lane in Maxatawny Township, Berks County shortly before 1:30.

"This motorcycle was coming down the highway," said Suzi Hogg, a witness from Kutztown, who works at the Arby's at the intersection. "He was going about 90 miles per hour and then the truck was pulling out of the gas station and the motorcycle just slammed into it. And the guy went flying over the truck."

Hogg said she was outside throwing trash into the dumpster, when she saw the crash.

An emergency dispatcher told 69 News that the motorcycle was being pursued out of Lehigh County by officers with the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police.

"Yeah, there were three police cars chasing him," said Hogg.

Police said traffic violations led them to begin pursuing the motorcycle near Trexlertown Road in Lehigh County.

They said most of the pursuit was on back roads before the motorcycle turned on to 222.

"It's pretty sad," said Hogg. "I mean, if you people want to do 90, you guys got to at least be somewhere safe."

He was flown from the scene in a medical helicopter. He is currently listed in critical condition at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

State police are now handling the investigation.