Abington Police responded to a single-vehicle accident that left a car blocking a southbound lane on North Hills Avenue, according to police.
The crash occurred at 220 North Hills Avenue, in the North Hills section of Abington Township, around 11:52 p.m. on January 22. Witnesses reported that the driver fled the scene on foot before officers arrived.
Police found a black 2014 Acura RDX sideways in the roadway, having sustained heavy damage to the front passenger side after striking a wooden telephone pole. The vehicle was unoccupied, with its airbags deployed and interior covered in the white powder used to maintain airbags prior to deployment. Footprints and tire tracks in a nearby mud puddle indicated the path of the fleeing driver.
Documents inside the vehicle identified the owner as Heather Hirsch, 35, of Oreland. Springfield Police later stopped Hirsch near her residence. Officers reported signs of impairment, including bloodshot, glassy eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of alcohol. Hirsch admitted she had been drinking at the Roslyn VFW prior to the crash.
Field sobriety tests confirmed impairment, and Hirsch was taken into custody for driving under the influence of alcohol. She was transported to Holy Redeemer Hospital, where a blood test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.253%, more than three times the legal limit.
Police noted that Hirsch left her vehicle blocking a lane and did not attempt to notify authorities after the crash. The incident is under investigation, and criminal charges have been filed.
The Abington Police Department urges drivers to exercise caution and avoid operating vehicles under the influence, emphasizing the risks posed to both drivers and the community.
