Pedestrian Hits Side of Pa. Fire Engine And Bus

Feb. 29--A pedestrian ran into the side of an Allentown fire engine and then a Lanta bus Wednesday afternoon in downtown Allentown, police said.

Police said the man was on a sidewalk on N. 8th Street, near Liberty Street, when he ran into the side of a fire truck heading to a call around 12:30 p.m., Allentown police Captain Keith Morris said.

The man bounced off the fire engine, got up and then did the same to a passing Lanta bus, Morris said. After striking the bus, the man went around, opened the door and tried to grab the driver, Morris said.

Firefighters subdued the man until police arrived, he said. The man continued to resist, Morris said, but he was eventually taken into custody.

The man was then taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest to evaluate the extent of his injuries and was cleared medically a few hours later, but was still receiving further psychiatric treatment, Morris said.

Police spoke with the Lehigh County District Attorney's office and determined that the man will not be charged, Morris said.

Other than the man who ran into the fire truck and bus, no one else was injured, he said.

Police closed off the area of Eighth and Liberty streets as they conducted their investigation. Passengers on the bus were placed in another bus to continue on their trip.

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