ALLENTOWN, Pa. – An 85-year-old man was the victim in a deadly hit-and-run on Union Boulevard early Thursday, the Lehigh County Coroner's office said.
Allentown police said the incident occurred at 7:01 a.m. at Jerome Street and Union Boulevard on the city's east side.
Coroner Daniel Buglio said an autopsy will be completed on Friday, Oct. 20, to determine the cause of death.
Buglio identified the man only as "John Doe" and said the coroner's office is still in the process of next-of-kin and family notifications, additionally allowing the family time to grieve privately.
The area where the crash occurred is not far from two schools – Dieruff High School and Executive Education Academy Charter School, which is about 10 blocks or so down the road.
Parent Norma Navarette, 38, said she lives close to where the crash happened and is fed up with cars speeding on Union Boulevard.
“I’ve been here since I was 4 years old,” she said. “I drive my kids to school at Executive every morning. Cars drive through here like they’re … nuts. Like 60, 70 with the lights flashing. Speed limit 15 school zone. Lights are flashing and they’re still passing at 60.”
She said more traffic enforcement and police patrols are needed.
“I want officers out in the morning,” she said. “Stop the cars. Give tickets. They need to be around. I fear for my kids’ safety.”
'Lack of concern' from drivers
At least two other people have been struck by vehicles on Allentown's East Side in the past 14 months. One of those crashes involved a fatality.
Angela Yowakim, a 25-year-old paraprofessional at Dieruff High School, died in early September 2022 after she was hit by a vehicle outside the school at North Irving Street and Andre Reed Way.
Yowakim graduated from Dieruff in 2015 before returning to work for the district in 2019. Former Allentown Schools Superintendent John Stanford described her as a dedicated educator.
At a news conference outside the school, Mayor Matt Tuerk said drivers race "up and down Irving Street" and show "a lack of safety and lack of concern … for the health and safety of our kids."
Lehigh County authorities issued citations to Joseph Fling Jr., 78, of Hatboro, who they said was driving 7 mph over the speed limit. Fling stayed at the scene and was not under the influence or texting when he hit Yowakim, authorities said.
A 13-year-old boy was hit by a car near Dieruff on Sept. 15, 2022, less than two weeks after Yowakim's death. The boy's injuries were not life-threatening, police said.
In addition to the coroner's office, the Allentown Police Department is investigating Thursday's crash, along with the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.
