Boy, 5, killed in Route 78 crash; car had open alcohol containers, cops say

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A 5-year-old boy from Newark was killed in an early Wednesday morning crash on Route 78 in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania State Police said they found open containers of alcohol in the 2011 Nissan Versa driven by Nadine Walton, 54, of Newark.

A woman passenger and two children, including the 5-year-old, were ejected from the vehicle after it swerved across the eastbound lanes several times before striking a guardrail near Route 33 in Lower Saucon.

Stefany Stephens, 31, of Newark, the boy and a 2-year-old were ejected from the car, even though they were all secured in car seats and wearing seat belts, police said. Walton was not ejected.

After the car came to a stop, it was hit by a 2014 Kia Forte, driven by David B. Getz Jr., 26, of Easton, Pa., and a 1996 Dodge Caravan driven by Michael Gura, 49, of Warren Township.

The 5-year-old boy, who has been identified as Stephens' son, died at the scene. Police did not identify the children by name or say what the victims' relationship was to each other.

Stephens and Walton were hospitalized at Lehigh Valley Hospital in serious condition. No charges have been filed.

Route 78 eastbound was closed beyond the morning commute for an investigation.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.