Allentown Man Charged in 2023 Crash That Killed Two; Suspect Was Not Properly Licensed, Under Influence of Marijuana, District Attorney Holihan Says

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

A 23-year-old Allentown man has been charged with multiple crimes related to a 2023 crash that killed two people.

Imanol Caraballo faces a hearing on Jan. 2. He is free on $50,000 unsecured bail.

Christopher Stocker, 44, and Luz Daneza Ruiz Acosta, 43, both of Allentown, died in the crash on Hamilton Street.

Here are the facts, from DA Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca:

Dec. 17, 2024

District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca announced an Allentown man is charged in a 2023 fatal crash that killed two people.

Imanol Caraballo, DOB 9/12/2001, of Allentown, is charged with two counts each of Homicide by Vehicle while Driving Under the Influence, a felony of the second degree; two counts each of Homicide by Vehicle, a felony of the third degree; Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury, a felony of the second degree; two counts each of Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury while Not Properly Licensed, a felony of the third degree; two counts each of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, a misdemeanor of the second degree; and misdemeanor charges of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or a Controlled Substance, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or a Controlled Substance, Controlled Substance Metabolite, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or a Controlled Substance–Safe Driving and related summary charges.

Caraballo was arraigned Dec. 16, 2024 and released on $50,000 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Jan. 2, 2025.

Around 1:15 a.m. Dec. 10, 2023, police, fire and EMS were called for two pedestrians struck in a hit-and-run crash in the 300 block of Hamilton Street. Witnesses told police the vehicle that struck the two people was a grey sedan that fled eastbound on Hamilton Street.

Christopher Stocker, 44, and Luz Daneza Ruiz Acosta, 43, also of Allentown, both died from blunt force injuries due to a motor vehicle crash and their deaths were ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner.

While traveling in the 100 block of Walnut Street, an Allentown Police officer found a silver sedan parked nearby. The car’s windshield was smashed and the hood was dented. A man identified as Caraballo was nearby and the investigation determined he had been driving at the time of the crash.

Caraballo’s blood tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation; and the defendant, Imanol Caraballo, is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.