Police: Man led them on 100-mph chase

A Whitehall Township man drove more than 100 mph on Mauch Chunk Road as he fled state troopers early Saturday, court documents say.

Michael J. Kaltenbach, 24, of the 200 block of Ohio Avenue is charged with felony fleeing and attempting to elude an officer, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and more than a dozen summary traffic offenses.

According to court papers, troopers were parked on the shoulder of Route 22 about 1:30 a.m. when a car traveling west passed at 96 mph, according to the state police car’s radar. The officers followed the car and started a pursuit when it left the highway at the 15th Street exit.

The car continued north on Mauch Chunk Road for about five miles, reaching more than 100 mph and failing to stop at stop signs and traffic lights.

The troopers ended their pursuit when the car turned on Levans Road. The troopers located the vehicle stopped near Mauch Chunk Road and Willow Street where they identified the driver as Kaltenbach, police said.

Police allege Kaltenbach drove in the wrong lane while passing other vehicles, made wide turns, failed to use turn signals and turned off the car’s lights in an attempt to elude the troopers, court documents say.

Kaltenback was arraigned before District Judge Michael Pochron and was sent to Lehigh County jail under $20,000 bail, according to court records.