ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A 44-year-old Slatington woman has died from injuries she suffered in a violent crash in Allentown, while the driver accused of causing the collision is now facing additional charges tied to an unrelated burglary investigation involving the theft of firearms from a Lehigh County gun store.
According to Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio, Kandi Jo Heller, 44, of Slatington, died Wednesday evening from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash. Her death was ruled accidental.
The collision happened shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday, when Pennsylvania State Police responded to a reported crash in Allentown.
Investigators say a 24-year-old Allentown man was driving at a high rate of speed when he allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign and broadsided another vehicle. The force of the collision sent one of the vehicles into a nearby home.
Heller was one of two people seriously injured in the crash and was pronounced dead later that evening, just before 10 p.m.
As troopers continued their investigation, authorities identified the driver as Kevin Abdiel Santiago, who is now facing multiple criminal charges beyond those related to the crash.
According to court documents, Santiago has been charged in connection with a series of burglaries in Lehigh and Northampton counties, including the theft of 15 firearms from Tammy and Andy’s Guns in Allen Township.
Investigators allege the burglary occurred on July 12, when a masked suspect entered the business through a rear garage door and stole firearms, cash, and other property valued at approximately $10,400.
Police say surveillance video captured the suspect making multiple trips into the building before loading the stolen firearms into a waiting vehicle.
Investigators later traced the vehicle through surveillance footage from a Wawa in Allen Township, which allegedly captured the license plate of a black Chevrolet Suburban registered to Santiago.
State police conducted surveillance on July 16, located the vehicle, and initiated a traffic stop after determining its registration was suspended.
Authorities also linked Santiago to a burglary at a South Whitehall Township business on July 10, where investigators say two older-model iPhones and a small amount of cash were stolen. The phones were later recovered outside the business.
Santiago is currently charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, and illegal possession of a firearm. Additional charges related to the fatal crash are expected as the investigation continues.
Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate both the fatal crash and the burglary cases. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact investigators.
Photos credit of Lehigh Valley fire scene photos
