ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio said one of the two people who were injured after a high-speed crash led to a vehicle hitting a home in Allentown has died.
Kandi Jo Heller, 44, of Slatington, was pronounced dead Wednesday shortly before 10 p.m., Buglio said in a news release.
Buglio said the cause of death is blunt force injuries, and the manner of death is accident.
The crash happened shortly after 1 p.m. at the intersection of North 6th Street and Cedar Street, according to Buglio.
“On behalf of the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensic Center, we extend our sincere condolences to Ms. Heller’s family and loved ones as they mourn this tragic loss,” Buglio said.
State police say they are preparing criminal charges after the crash that caused a massive disruption in an Allentown neighborhood.
Authorities say that at approximately 1:06 p.m., troopers from the Bethlehem Station were dispatched to the scene for a reported crash.
Upon investigation, it was determined that a car operated by a 24-year-old Allentown man was driving at a high rate of speed, according to state police.
State police said that car went through a stop sign and broadsided another car.
The car that was hit then struck a home near the intersection of the crash due to the impact, officials said.
Police say that man ran from the scene and hid in the neighborhood for more than a half hour before he was caught by troopers.
Both occupants of the car that was struck were taken to a local hospital for their injuries, authorities said.
The 24-year-old Allentown man will be criminally charged, according to state police.
Troopers say the driver was under multi-agency surveillance prior to the crash but have not yet stated why.
In addition to the coroner’s office, the Pennsylvania State Police Bethlehem Station Patrol Unit and Criminal Investigation Unit, and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office are investigating.