Truck Hits Gas Meter, Residents Evacuated in Lower Macungie

Residents of 12 units in four buildings were evacuated from Legacy Oaks in Lower Macungie Township as the result of a gas leak Thursday morning.

The driver of a Chevy pick-up truck told Patch that his vehicle accelerated beyond his control and crashed into a garage.

The truck also hit a gas meter, causing a leak that led to the evacuations.

The driver was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital for observation. There were no reports of injuries.

The emergency was originally reported as a house explosion at 2892 Donegal Drive at 10:30 a.m.

Resident John Tycholiz said he had just gotten out of the shower when he heard a crash. 

"I went to the garage and saw smoke. I saw the garage door buckled and smelled gas. Then I called 911," he said.

Roads in the immediate area were shut down. State police at Fogelsville as well as multiple fire crews and UGI crews responded.

Legacy Oaks is a development for adults 55 and older and includes single-family houses and condominiums east of Route 100 between Willow Lane and Mill Creek Road.