A driver escaped serious injury when she lost control of her car along Route 33 south, struck a guardrail and the vehicle erupted into flames in Palmer Township.

Pennsylvania State Police in Belfast identified the driver as Heidi M. DeWitt, 31, of Wind Gap. Police said DeWitt at 1:13 p.m. Saturday lost control on her 2001 Ford Focus between the Route 191 and Tatamy Road interchange.

After striking the guardrail, DeWitt traveled back into the left lane of travel and the Ford erupted into flames, according to police. DeWitt managed to escape and refused medical treatment at the scene for a minor injury, police said.

Police said DeWitt was wearing a seat-belt at the time of the accident.

Crews shut down Route 33 for nearly two hours around the site to help clear debris. Traffic was detoured onto the Stockertown exit. Northampton County Emergency Management Services also responded to a minor fuel spill into the median of the highway, said Palmer Township Assistant Fire Chief Jim Alercia.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. DeWitt was cited with a traffic violation. Palmer Township police are being assisted by the Upper Nazareth Fire Department and state police in the investigation.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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