Philadelphia police accident investigators seek the public’s help in solving four old hit-and-run cases involving death or severe injuries.
The most recent case resulted in the death of 41-year-old Richard Farrell. On Aug. 26 at 2:15 a.m., Farrell was attempting to cross Roosevelt Boulevard at Hartel Avenue when a vehicle struck him in the northbound outer drive of the 12-lane U.S. highway. The striking car, most likely a Chrysler 300, was driven from the scene before authorities arrived.
On April 3, a 16-year-old boy was injured severely when a car struck him as he rode a bicycle on the 4500 block of Tyson Ave. The striking vehicle was described as a small, dark-colored car and was driven from the scene eastbound on Tyson Avenue. The victim suffered traumatic head injuries and is attempting to recover his ability to move and speak, police said.
A car theft precipitated another Roosevelt Boulevard death on July 22, 2011, police said. Azeme Fitchett, 18, was a passenger in a stolen vehicle traveling northbound near Rorer Street at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control, struck a curb and flipped the car. Fitchett was ejected from and crushed by the tumbling vehicle. Witnesses said an 18-year-old man with a dark complexion fled the crash scene on foot. Fitchett died at the scene.
On Oct. 26, 2010 at about 8:40 p.m., Vanessa Santiago, 26, was walking across Fifth Street at York Street when a white Ford F-150 pickup truck ran a northbound red light and struck her, police said. The motorist drove from the scene northbound on Fifth Street before authorities arrived. Santiago died that night from unspecified injuries.
Call the Accident Investigation Division at 215–685–3180 to report information about any of these crashes. ••
