Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta has announced that criminal charges have been filed against Ezra Duke Wright, 27, after a two-vehicle crash in Bethlehem that resulted in the injury of two individuals.

On May 14 at approximately 12:26 p.m., officers responded to a motor vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of New Street and Elizabeth Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed a Kia, operated by Wright, on fire, multiple utility poles downed, and two occupants of the second vehicle, a Honda, trapped within their vehicle. Wright and the two occupants from the Honda were extricated from their vehicles and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. During this time, officers located approximately 3.5 grams of marijuana on Wright, as well as drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Police obtained a search warrant to collect and test Wright’s blood.

During the investigation, officers obtained multiple video recordings from various angles, capturing the moments leading up to the crash. The footage shows Wright passing other vehicles by driving through grass on the roadside, entering the oncoming traffic lane at high speed, narrowly avoiding collisions, and proceeding through a red traffic signal.

Moments before this incident, Wright’s vehicle was also involved in a hit-and-run on Route 378 in Northampton County, where he maneuvered between two vehicles, striking one and causing damage.

On May 29, police received the results of Wright’s blood test, which indicated the presence of methamphetamine, amphetamine and THC at the time of the crash. Wright is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, driving under the influence of controlled substances, five counts of recklessly endangering another person and various traffic-related offenses.

As in any criminal case, the fact that an arrest has occurred or a complaint has been filed represents merely an accusation, and any person charged is presumed innocent.