Vannity Colon, Israel Medina Obituary, Death – A devastating crash along Route 309 in Lynn Township, located in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, claimed the lives of three passengers over the weekend, while both drivers involved survived the collision.
According to a report issued by the Pennsylvania State Police, the crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene near Gun Club Road in response to the two-vehicle collision.
Police say the incident began when a 2013 Hyundai Accent, driven by a 54-year-old woman from Allentown, was heading northbound on Route 309. For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered into the opposite lanes of traffic. It crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a 2021 Jeep Compass that was traveling southbound. The Jeep was driven by a 30-year-old woman from Fountain Hill, police said.
The crash involved a total of five individuals—three people in the Hyundai and two in the Jeep. Tragically, all three passengers lost their lives. Both drivers were injured but survived the collision and received treatment at local hospitals. Authorities have not released the conditions of the survivors, and their identities have not been disclosed.
The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office confirmed the names of the deceased. Vannity Colon, a 21-year-old from Allentown, and Israel Medina, a 19-year-old from New York City, were both passengers in the Hyundai and were pronounced dead at the scene. The impact was so severe that emergency responders could do nothing to save them.
The third fatality, 61-year-old Jeffrey Pichel from Fountain Hill, was a passenger in the Jeep. Although he was transported to a hospital following the collision, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on Monday morning.
This heartbreaking accident has shaken the local communities of Allentown and Fountain Hill, where the victims and drivers lived. The identities and relationships among those in each vehicle are still being pieced together by investigators. It’s unclear whether the passengers in the Hyundai were related to the driver, or what their reasons were for traveling together.
State police, in coordination with the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office and crash reconstruction experts, have launched an extensive investigation to determine what caused the Hyundai to cross into the southbound lanes. At this time, authorities have not announced whether speed, distracted driving, weather conditions, or a mechanical failure might have played a role. Toxicology tests and other standard investigative procedures are expected to be part of the case as police work to understand the factors that led to the deadly wreck.
So far, no criminal charges have been announced, and police have not indicated whether any citations have been issued. Investigators are asking witnesses or anyone who may have seen the crash—or the moments leading up to it—to come forward with information that could aid the ongoing investigation.
Route 309, a heavily traveled road in the Lehigh Valley region, was closed for several hours on Sunday as police and emergency responders worked at the crash site. Traffic had to be diverted, and investigators documented the scene carefully to collect any evidence that might help explain what happened.
News of the collision quickly spread through the community, with friends and family members of the victims mourning the sudden and tragic loss of life. Online tributes have already begun appearing for Vannity Colon and Israel Medina, both of whom were young and reportedly had bright futures ahead of them. Similarly, condolences are being offered for the family of Jeffrey Pichel, whose life was cut short in the crash.
Community leaders and officials in Allentown, Fountain Hill, and the greater Lehigh Valley have expressed sorrow over the incident. Many are emphasizing the importance of road safety and urging drivers to remain alert and cautious, particularly on high-speed roads like Route 309.
As investigators continue to search for answers, the focus now turns to supporting the families left behind. The loss of three lives in such a sudden and violent manner has left a deep impact, not only on their loved ones but also on the emergency personnel who responded to the scene.
The Pennsylvania State Police have asked that anyone with relevant information about the crash contact their department to assist in the investigation. As more details emerge, authorities hope to bring clarity to the circumstances that led to this tragedy and, potentially, prevent similar incidents in the future.
In the meantime, the Lehigh Valley community mourns the loss of three individuals and rallies around those who remain to cope with the aftermath of a senseless and heartbreaking event.
