Allentown man admits he killed mom and 1-year-old in New Year’s Day crash

Allentown man admits he killed mom and 1-year-old in New Year’s Day crash

An Allentown man admitted Tuesday he killed a mother and her 1-year-old boy in a car crash, then fled the scene, according to a news release from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office.


The release says 32-year-old Lazarus Roldan pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of homicide by vehicle in connection with the deaths of 22-year-old Kisha Cora and her 1-year-old son, Aechediel Omar Rivera Cora.


“Mr. Roldan is devastated at the loss of lives. He is also extremely saddened at the harm he caused to the family of those that perished and the pain he caused to his own family,” said Roldan’s attorney, Michael Anthony Walker of Norristown in an emailed statement.


The release says Roldan lost control of his Trailblazer prior to the crash at 2:44 a.m. Jan. 1, 2022, in Allentown. He was headed south in the 1200 block of South Eighth Street, crossed into the northbound lane and collided with the driver’s side of a BMW, the news release says.


The release says the Coras died of blunt force injuries and their deaths were ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner’s office. There were two other people in the BMW, the release says.


An off-duty Pennsylvania State Police trooper briefly spoke with Roldan before Roldan fled, the release says. Roldan later turned himself in.


Roldan pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of homicide by vehicle, two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. More than a dozen related charges were withdrawn as part of the plea deal, court records indicate.


“This is a tragic accident that (Roldan) will have to live with for the rest of his life and he extends the most sincere and heartfelt apology, prayers and blessings to those people that he has hurt,” Walker said.


The plea was entered before Lehigh County Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks. Roldan is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 1.

Share by: