LYNN TWP., Pa. — Three people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in the township, Lehigh County officials confirmed Monday.
The deceased were identified as Vannity Colon, 21, of Allentown; Israel Medina, 19, of New York, NY; and Jeffrey Pichel, 61, of Fountain Hill.
Colon and Medina were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in the area of Route 309 and Gun Club Road, Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio said in a release.
Pichel died at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, early Monday.
Buglio said autopsies would be conducted on all three individuals Tuesday.
Crash involved two vehicles
According to state police, a 2013 Hyundai Accent, operated by a 54-year-old female from Allentown, was driving northbound on Route 309 and crossed into the southbound lane of travel.
The Hyundai struck a Jeep Compass operated by a 30-year-old female from Fountain Hill, according to a release.
Colon and Medina were passengers in the Hyundai, police said.
The operator of the vehicle was treated at the scene by Cetronia Ambulance and transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, for her injuries.
Pichel was a passenger in the Jeep.
The operator also was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, by Cetronia Ambulance.
The crash remains under investigation by PSP Fogelsville. Assisting with the investigation are Troop M Bethlehem's collision analysis and reconstruction unit, and its forensic services unit.
The Lehigh County Coroner's Office, Lehigh County Special Operations Unit and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office also are assisting with the investigation.
Deaths down statewide, up in Lehigh County
The state Transportation Department announced last week the number of people who lost their lives on Pennsylvania roadways decreased to 1,127 in 2024 — the second lowest yearly total since record keeping began in 1928.
There were 82 fewer deaths than in 2023, according to a release.
“PennDOT will continue to work with our partners to decrease traffic deaths through education and outreach, but we will only get to zero fatalities when everyone works together.”PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll
“While this decrease in fatalities is certainly good news, even one life lost is one too many,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said in the release.
“PennDOT will continue to work with our partners to decrease traffic deaths through education and outreach, but we will only get to zero fatalities when everyone works together,” Carroll said.
While fatalities for most types of crashes were down in 2024, some types saw increases, officials said.
Fatalities in intersection crashes increased to 321, up from 301 in 2023.
Some Pennsylvania counties, including Lehigh County, also saw statistics that went against the trend.
Lehigh County recorded 32 fatalities, the most since 2020 (when it also had 32), including four deaths at intersections, according to statistics released by PennDOT and state police.
A dozen fatalities were attributed, in part, to crashes involving a vehicle leaving its lane of travel, and 11 from a single vehicle running off the roadway.
Fatal crashes decreased to 16 in Northampton County, the lowest total since 2021.
There were six fewer deaths than in 2023, data showed.
At least eight deaths also were attributed, in part, to lane departures.
