HOMETOWN - Rush Township police are investigating the death of a Hazleton man in a one-vehicle crash that occurred shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday on Route 54 between the Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Lake Hauto.
Rush Township police Officer in Charge Duane Frederick identified the driver as Harry T. Labenburg III, 40.
At the scene of the crash, emergency responders from Rush Township and Tamaqua found a dark-colored 2002 Ford Ranger pickup truck deep in a wooded area off the north side of Route 54 with Labenburg inside.
Frederick said Labenburg was traveling west on Route 54 when, for an unknown reason, his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.
Deputy Coroner Larry Neff, with assistance from Deputy Coroner Andrew Szczyglak, pronounced the man dead at the scene at 3:10 p.m.
The cause and manner of the man's death remained to be determined, Szczyglak said.
Officials closed the roadway about 3:15 p.m., diverting traffic onto Ye Old Hauto Road, while the man was removed from the wreckage.
Rush Township police said further details would be released upon completion of their investigation.