July 16, 2025
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
An Allentown man has been charged with homicide by vehicle and other charges related to a fatal 2024 hit-and-run crash.
Jose Vladmir Jerez, 24, was in Lehigh County Prison on another charge and arraigned today, according to a statement from Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott.
Jerez allegedly was driving a car on Oct. 13, 2024, on Central Boulevard in Bethlehem that crashed into a utility pole, causing the death of Ezequiel Hernandez-Cartagena, 20, of Allentown, a passenger, according to the press release.
The wreck may have been caused by Jerez trying to pass another vehicle on a city street, witnesses said.
Witnesses said “they saw Jerez driving the car, making an erratic movement to attempt to pass a vehicle in front of him when he lost control of the car, struck the utility pole and go up the embankment. Jerez fled the wreckage while Cartagena yelled for help and beeped the horn. The witnesses then drove the victim to the hospital,” according to the statement.
Here’s the statement from District Attorney Holihan and Police Chief Kott:
July 16, 2025
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and City of Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott announce an arrest in a fatal hit-and-run investigation from 2024.
Jose Vladmir Jerez, DOB 3/11/2001, of Allentown, is charged with Accidents Involving Death or
Personal Injury, a felony of the second degree; Homicide by Vehicle, a felony of the third degree;
misdemeanor charges of Involuntary Manslaughter, Recklessly Endangering Another Person and
Receiving Stolen Property and summary charges of Reckless Driving, Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic, Driving Vehicle at Safe Speed and Immediate Notice of Accident to Police Department – Injury or Death.
Jerez was in Lehigh County Jail on an unrelated matter and was arraigned today. Bail was set at $100,000 and the preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. July 22 in Courtroom 1C.
At 6:50 p.m. Oct. 13, 2024, City of Bethlehem police were called to a single vehicle hit-and-run crash that struck a utility pole in the 700 block of Central Boulevard.
Officers found a silver sedan off the roadway up an embankment in a wooded area near the north side of the road. The car had severe damage and blood inside the vehicle, but officers were unable to locate the driver or any passengers.
The car was registered to a Bethlehem woman who was not involved in the crash.
Shortly after officers arrived at the crash scene, they were notified a crash victim had arrived for treatment at the emergency room of an area hospital. The victim was identified as Ezequiel Hernandez-Cartagena, DOB 11/25/2003, of Allentown.
Hernandez-Cartagena succumbed to his injuries later died at the hospital. Hernandez-Cartagena’s death was due to Blunt Force Injuries; Motor Vehicle Collision and his death was ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner.
During the course of the investigation, officers determined that prior to the crash, the victim and others were at an Allentown park with a man they only knew by the nickname “Los Ten.”
The group left the park in three different vehicles. The victim was the passenger inside the car driven by “Los Ten,” who was later identified as Jerez.
The witnesses said they saw Jerez driving the car, making an erratic movement to attempt to pass a vehicle in front of him when he lost control of the car, struck the utility pole and go up the embankment. Jerez fled the wreckage while Cartagena yelled for help and beeped the horn. The witnesses then drove the victim to the hospital.
This case was investigated by City of Bethlehem Police Officer Andrew DeFrank and will be prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney V. Paul Bernardino III.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest has occurred or a complaint has been filed are
merely accusations; and the accused, Jose Vladmir Jerez, is presumed innocent until and unless
proven guilty.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 