Etienne Theagene, 47, of Whitehall, was arraigned on Thursday on homicide by motor vehicle charges, and other related offenses, relating to a fatal crash that happened in 2024 in Whitehall Township.

Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Whitehall Police Chief Michael Marks announced the arrest.

Theagene is charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving, careless driving (unintentional death), maximum speed limits: 25 mph in a residential district and failure to drive at a safe speed.

He was arraigned before District Judge Todd Hefflefinger and released on $25,000 unsecured bail, pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sept. 29.

The charges relate to an incident that happened around 6:50 p.m. Dec. 25 when township police were called to a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian at 3245 Water St. Police determined Theagene was the driver of the vehicle.

They said the victim, Edward Tomcics, was found unconscious on the side of the road. Officers began conducting live-saving measures, but Tomcics was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Tomcics, 75, of Whitehall Township, died from blunt force injuries due to pedestrian/motor vehicle collision and his death was ruled accidental, according to the Lehigh County Corner.

The investigation included a mechanical inspection of Theagene’s vehicle, review of video surveillance footage and a visibility study, Holihan said.