A hit and run fatal crash was reported 1:23 a.m. Feb. 23 along Macungie Mountain Road at St. Peters Road, Upper Milford Township, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

The crash occurred as a suspected red Jeep Cherokee (1992-1990) was making a left turn onto Macungie Mountain Road from St. Peters Road. The suspected Jeep crossed into the oncoming lane of travel on Macungie Mountain Road striking a motorized bicycle traveling toward St. Peters Road.

Macungie Emergency Medical Technicians were the first to arrive on scene and assess the victim. State police arrived on scene shortly after.

Deputy Coroner/Senior Investigator Craig Hanzl of the Lehigh County Coroner’s office pronounced the victim, Alan Ruth, 48, of Macungie, deceased on scene. Hanzl pronounced Ruth dead at 2:03 a.m. An autopsy was scheduled for Feb. 24 to determine the cause of death. The manner of death was ruled an accident.

According to a press report from State Police Fogelsville, Ruth was operating his motorized bicycle west on St. Peters Road at the time of the accident. Ruth was crossing through the intersection with Macungie Mountain Road when a red sport utility vehicle which was east on St. Peter’s Road, made a left turn onto Macungie Mountain Road and hit Ruth on his motorized bicycle.

After the collision, the vehicle stopped and two individuals were seen getting out of the vehicle. The two people then got back into the vehicle and fled north on Macungie Mountain Road in the direction of Macungie borough.

According to police, the sport utility vehicle was an early 1990s Jeep Cherokee, possibly a 1991 to 1993 model year. The Jeep is red or has a red front end. Damage to the vehicle likely includes the driver’s side grill and headlamp assembly. The Jeep also may be missing the driver’s headlamp.

Members of the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the death.

Any person with information relative to this incident is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police Fogelsville at 610-395-1438. Police encourage the driver, occupants of the vehicle or anyone with information about the accident to come forward.

Editor’s Note: Update Feb. 25: Pennsylvania State Police received a call 12:13 p.m. Feb. 24 providing information on a possible occupant in the vehicle which the crash occurred. Members from the Criminal Investigation Unit began investigating the information provided by the caller and determined it was a credible lead. Members from the Fogelsville CIU traveled to the Lancaster area where they partnered with members of the state police, Troop J. and Lancaster CIU and began conducting interviews.

State police said the investigation led to the identity of the passenger in the Jeep as well as the alleged driver, Frank Snyder Jr., 38, of Lancaster. The investigators also located the 1995 Red Jeep Cherokee allegedly operated by Snyder the night of the crash. Upon consultation with the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, charges for Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury (Felony of the second degree) and Driving While Operating Privilege is Suspended or Revoked (Summary) were filed against Snyder.

Snyder was transported to Lehigh County where he was arraigned on the charges and subsequently housed in Lehigh County Prison.