Lehigh County coroner

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A Whitehall man has been charged with homicide by vehicle in a pedestrian crash that killed a township resident, District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Etienne Theagene, 47, is accused of fatally striking 75-year-old Edward D. Tomcics and faces felony Homicide by Vehicle, misdemeanor Involuntary Manslaughter, and multiple traffic violations including Reckless Driving, Careless Driving (Unintentional Death), and speeding in a residential district, according to the DA’s office.

Theagene surrendered to authorities on Thursday and was arraigned before District Judge Todd Hefflefinger. He was released on \$25,000 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is set for 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29.

Investigators said the crash happened around 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in the 3200 block of Water Street. Tomcics was rushed to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, where he was pronounced dead at 7:32 p.m. The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office determined he died from blunt force injuries and ruled his death accidental.

A mechanical inspection of Theagene’s vehicle, review of surveillance footage, and a visibility study concluded that if Theagene had been traveling the posted 25 mph speed limit, he would have had time to see Tomcics crossing the road, authorities said.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney V. Paul Bernardino III.