Banged-up police chief back on job [Standard-Speaker, Hazleton, Pa.]

Sept. 28--Hazleton's police chief is out of the hospital and back on the job following a two-vehicle crash on Cedar Street on Wednesday morning.

Frank DeAndrea was discharged from the hospital with a very sore knee and some soreness to his chest where he struck the steering wheel, Hazleton Mayor Joseph Yannuzzi said.

"He's doing fine," Yannuzzi said.

The mayor said the investigation by Hazleton police Cpl. Jerry Tray is wrapping up. Yannuzzi has no plans to call an independent investigator to probe the crash.

"It was an accident," Yannuzzi said.

DeAndrea was driving an unmarked, city-owned sport utility vehicle when it collided with a white pickup truck as it attempted to turn into a donut shop parking lot on North Cedar Street. The SUV sustained a lot of damage in the crash after running into a pole.

"In my opinion, it will be totaled," Yannuzzi said. "The vehicle is covered by city insurance."

DeAndrea was en route to a police call when the crash occurred.

Edward Gonzalez of Hazleton was driving the pickup truck. He and his passenger were going to have coffee at Donut Connection around 9 a.m. on Wednesday when he pulled over for police vehicles responding to an emergency. Gonzalez said he did not see the chief's vehicle when he attempted to turn into the doughnut shop's parking lot.

Yannuzzi was upset that some people were taking video and pictures of DeAndrea inside his vehicle following the crash.

"Danny D'Amico of Cedar Street Supply came to his aid and emergency medical help was on the way, but I think it is disappointing and discouraging that people began taking video pictures before helping him out," Yannuzzi said.

Yannuzzi thanked the people who did offer aid at the scene.

tragan@standardspeaker.com

___

(c)2013 the Standard-Speaker (Hazleton, Pa.)

Visit the Standard-Speaker (Hazleton, Pa.) at standardspeaker.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services