Tag: Lehigh County Coroner's Office
Sixth Suspect Arrested In Fountain Park Ambush Killing Of Angel Martinez-Velez: DA
A sixth suspect has been arrested in the broad-daylight ambush that left a 25-year-old man dead on a basketball court in Allentown, authorities announced on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Jose Batista-Gabin, 23, of the Bronx, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals over the weekend and is currently being held in a New York prison awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said.
He is charged with criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, and tampering with evidence in connection with the June 1, 2024, killing of Angel Martinez-Velez at Fountain Park.
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81-Year-Old Dies In I-81 Crash With Semi-Truck In Schuylkill County: Lehigh Coroner
An 81-year-old man was killed in a crash involving a semi-truck on I-81 in Schuylkill County, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office announced on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Esau Foster, 81, was pronounced dead on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 5:59 p.m. in the Emergency Department at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, according to the release.
Foster was the driver of a vehicle that collided with a semi-truck on I-81 northbound at mile marker 119.4 in Butler Township at approximately 2:22 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, investigators said.
The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the crash,…
90-Year-Old Driver Killed In Schuylkill County Crash With Transit Van: Lehigh County Coroner
A 90-year-old man was killed in a crash in Ryan Township, Schuylkill County on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office announced on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Raymond C. Dawson, 90, of Ryan Township, was pronounced dead at 4:44 p.m. at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem, according to Coroner Daniel Buglio.
Dawson died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision, Buglio said. His manner of death was ruled accidental.
The crash happened at approximately 1:03 p.m. on the 800 block of Barnsville Drive in Ryan Township. Investigators said Dawso…
31-Year-Old Motorcyclist Killed In PA Crash: Lehigh County Coroner
A 31-year-old Stroudsburg man was killed when his motorcycle collided with another vehicle in Monroe County, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office announced on Friday, Aug. 15.
Matthew R. Hirsch was pronounced dead at 12:34 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, according to the coroner’s office.
The crash happened in the area of SR 191 and SR 390 in Paradise Township at about 11 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, investigators said. Hirsch, who was operating the motorcycle, suffered multiple traumatic injuries in the collision, the coroner’s office detailed.
The manner of de…
Two Motorcyclists ID'd After Crashes In Lehigh County Within Hours Of Each Other: Coroner
Two men were killed in separate motorcycle crashes hours apart in Lehigh County on Sunday, Aug. 3, authorities announced Monday, Aug. 4.
Stanley Aviles-Espaillat, 25, of Allentown, was pronounced dead at 8:17 a.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office said. Aviles-Espaillat was operating a motorcycle that collided with a motor vehicle on the 300 block of W. Tilghman Street in Allentown around 3:20 a.m. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries, and the manner was ruled accidental.
Hours later, Gavin J. Long, 20, of Middle Paxton Township, was ki…
Scooter Rider Killed In Allentown Crash Identified As 52-Year-Old Rufus Martin: Coroner
A scooter rider who died after a crash with a car in Allentown has been identified as Rufus A. Martin, the Lehigh County Coroner announced on Thursday, July 17.
Martin, 52, of Allentown, was riding a scooter northbound on N. 8th Street just past W. Chew Street when he was hit by a vehicle around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4, authorities said. The impact ejected Martin off the scooter, causing him to strike the vehicle and land on the roadway, according to the coroner’s report.
He was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, where he was pronounced dead at 8:46 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15.
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‘Los Ten’ Ditched Passenger Begging For Help In Fatal Bethlehem Crash: DA
A driver who vanished into the woods after smashing a stolen car into a utility pole—leaving his passenger behind to bleed and scream for help—has finally been arrested, Lehigh County prosecutors announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Jose Vladmir Jerez, 24, known by witnesses only as “Los Ten,” is now charged in the death of Ezequiel Hernandez-Cartagena, a 20-year-old from Allentown, who died after the wreck on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.
Jerez, also of Allentown, is facing the following charges:
Felony Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury.
Felony Homicide by Vehicle.
Misdemeanor Invo…
32-Year-Old Mom Of 2 Found Dead On Allentown Sidewalk: Coroner (Update)
A 32-year-old mom was found dead on a sidewalk in Allentown, authorities announced on Wednesday, June 25.
Gina Marie Chroust, of Nazareth, was discovered near the 700 block of Brush Street and pronounced dead at the scene at 12:53 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.
An autopsy was conducted on Wednesday, but the cause of death remains pending the results of toxicology tests, officials said.
Allentown Police are assisting in the investigation, the release states.
Gina was remembered as a cherished daughter, mother, sister, niece, and friend who loved …
14-Year-Old Drowns In Jordan Creek, Coroner Says
A 14-year-old boy has died after drowning in a Pennsylvania creek earlier this month, officials confirmed.
Christopher Roldan-Solis, of Allentown, was pronounced dead at 6:18 a.m. on Friday, June 20, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.
An autopsy was completed that day. The cause of death is complications of drowning and the manner of death is accidental, the coroner said.
On Wednesday, June 11, at approximately 1:15 p.m., Christopher was with friends near Jordan Park, in the 1200 block of N 6th Street in Allentown, when he reportedly ju…
Promising College Athlete, Photographer, 19, Found Dead On Allentown Sidewalk: Coroner
A 19-year-old standout athlete from Upper Saucon Township was found dead on a sidewalk in Allentown late Friday night, officials announced on Tuesday, June 10.
Ayden J. Scharper, a 2023 Southern Lehigh High School graduate, was pronounced dead at 11:49 p.m. on Friday, June 6, on the 800 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.
Scharper was discovered on the sidewalk at the scene. An autopsy determined the manner of death was suicide, the coroner said, adding that no foul play was suspected, the coroner’s office noted.
He had been a standout ki…
Motorcyclist Killed After Hitting Deer On Road In Northampton: Lehigh County Coroner
A motorcyclist was killed after striking a deer in Northampton County, officials announced on Tuesday, June 3.
Charles S. Eppinger, 65, of Saylorsburg, was riding along the 2700 block of Mountain View Drive in Moore Township when he hit a deer around 2:42 p.m. on Monday, June 2, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.
Eppinger was taken to the emergency department at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg, where he was pronounced dead at 3:43 p.m., Coroner Daniel A. Buglio said in the release.
His cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries, and the manner of death was ruled an acci…
27-Year-Old PA Woman Dies After Scooter, Vehicle Collision In Allentown: Coroner
A 27-year-old woman from Wyomissing has died following a crash involving a motor scooter and a motor vehicle in Allentown, authorities said.
The incident happened around 6:08 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, in the 600 block of Union Boulevard, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.
The victim, identified as Marie D. Colon Rodriguez, was operating a motor scooter when it collided with a vehicle, officials said.
“Ms. Colon Rodriguez was pronounced dead on Monday, April 21, 2025 at 11:09 AM at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg,” the coroner’s office said.
Her cause of death was listed…
