Defendants Insists That He Did Not Hit Anyone But Police Arrest Him Anyway . . . Given The Human Torso Found In Car

Jose Antonio Santiago, 33, had a difficult time convincing police that he did not hit anyone with his car last week. First, there was the heavily damaged car sitting outside. Second, there was what police thought was human remains on his clothes. Finally, even if those facts could be dismissed, there was the human torso left on the passenger side floor of the car. Santiago is now charged with killing Anna Lewis (left), 62, and then fleeing the scene of the accident. Unless there was another driver, it would seem that a plea request might be the first priority for counsel.

Lewis’ sister was also sent to the hospital after the crash. Lewis and Rosalie Carlo were walking along the street at 9 p.m. on Sunday when they were allegedly struck by a Saab sedan driven by Santiago. The force of the crash severed Lewis at the waist.

Santiago reportedly is being held on hit-and-run charges in Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $275,000 bail.

Court records say Santiago smelled of alcohol and had what looked like “body matter” on his pants leg at the time of his arrest, but insisted “I didn’t hit anyone. I would have stopped. I’m not a bad person.”

Lewis was close to retirement this year from her long-standing job at a nursing home.

Source: Lehigh Valley as first seen on ABA Journal.