LYNN TWP., Pa. - A 16-year-old died from injuries after being thrown from a pickup truck tailgate while the vehicle was making a turn, officials said.
The Lehigh County coroner identified the victim as Tucker J. Wessner, 16, of Heidelberg Township in Lehigh County.
Wessner died Tuesday night at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest – more than three weeks after the incident occurred.
An autopsy was completed Thursday; Coroner Daniel Buglio said the cause and manner of death are pending further investigation.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, Wessner and a 17-year-old boy were riding on the pickup’s tailgate as another 17-year-old was operating the truck and an 18-year-old was in the passenger seat on June 24 in Lynn Township.
The pickup was southbound on Leaser Road and turned left onto Follweiller Court, state police said. Wessner fell out of the truck and struck the ground, state police said.
The pickup truck occupants tried to give medical assistance and Wessner was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
State police and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate.
State police ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call the Fogelsville barracks at 610-395-1438.