Pocono Record
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Jackson Township teen, at the dawn of an ambitious life, was killed Christmas Day in a crash near the entrance to Emerald Lakes in Long Pond, on his way to visit his girlfriend’s dad.
Alejandro Santos, 18, was a passenger in a car that was hit by a black pickup truck traveling east on Route 940 at 5:11 p.m., according to the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department. The 2011 Chevy Cruze, owned by Santos and driven by his girlfriend, was making a left turn from Route 940 onto Long Pond Road when it was hit on the passenger’s side. The impact entrapped Santos. He was freed and taken to Pocono Medical Center, where he was declared dead at 6:51 p.m., according to Monroe County Coroner Bob Allen.
Santos’ girlfriend, Alaysia English and Santos were taking turns driving as the couple visited family on the holiday, English’s aunt, Jenny Garcia said.
“They were heading to her dad’s house. They were making the rounds for Christmas when it happened,” Garcia said.
The couple was coming from Great Wolf Lodge, where the two worked. They met there about a year ago. Santos worked in the arcade section of the resort.
English sprained her left shoulder and banged up her entire left side, but wasn’t seriously injured in the crash. Garcia and English‘s mother were looking after her at English‘s home Monday. “It was very hard for her,” Garcia said. They were inseparable.”
Santos, a volunteer fireman with the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company, lived with English and her mother in their Tobyhanna home. Friends described him as an infectiously upbeat teen with plans to marry English, join the Army and go to college.
“These kids now a days, they are always thinking about negativity,” Garcia said. “He was positive. He always wanted to brighten your day, always ready to help without being asked. Even though he might have been going through a lot of struggles, he never showed it. He was so positive.”
Santos was part of the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company’s junior program, Chief Cliff Oppelt said, and went through the training courses for firefighters.
“It stinks to see young people go like that,” Oppelt said. “He was a good kid. You don’t get too many young kids that want to be out there and help people. He always wanted to learn more.”
Garcia said Santos had been living with his mother and step father in Tobyhanna before moving in with the Englishs. “Now a days these millennial kids are out of control. He was always trying to do the right thing. He was so positive. He had a beautiful bond with his grandmother,” she said.
Santos’ Facebook page was packed with memories of the teen.
“I’ll always remember you as the kid that always had so much energy in recess and just in general,” Gabby Guerrero, a classmate at P.S. 187 in New York, NY said.
“You used to pick me up at my house every single day, help me with my homework, and walk me to practice every single day,” Joyce Nunez said. “You were like a big brother to me and although we lost contact when you moved away, I never lost that love of friendship. I miss you so much.”
“My best friend and (English’s) better half,” Winter Rose said. “You may be gone, but her life will move forward for the better, thanks to you.“
Pocono Mountain Regional Police are investigating the crash. Officer Daniel Jones will reconstruct the crash, according to Allen, to determine how and why the crash occurred. Allen determined the manner of death as accidental. A forensic autopsy will be performed Tuesday to determine the cause of death.
Santos was born in New York, N.Y. He is survived by his parents, Bobby and Eva Fuentes; and two sisters, Briana Fuentes and Gabriela Fuentes, according to his obituary.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wed., Dec. 30, at the William H. Clark Funeral Home at 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Thurs. Dec 31, at the funeral home.
Garcia said Santos was a humble teen.
“He was the kind of person that even if you gave him burnt toast, he would say he was grateful.”
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