Accident investigators were trying to piece together the facts in a fatal hit and run that occurred near Cottman and Bustleton avenues early yesterday, claiming the life of pedestrian. One motorist surrendered to police several hours later, but a second driver remained unidentified and wanted for questioning yesterday afternoon.
The crash happened shortly after 12:30 a.m. A preliminary investigation revealed that Alejo Molina, 50, of the 6600 block of Souder St., was either standing on the sidewalk along the southbound lanes of Bustleton Avenue or was beneath a SEPTA bus stop canopy — seeking cover from a downpour — when a speeding southbound car careened onto the sidewalk, plowed through the canopy and launched the victim 120 feet from the point of impact.
The driver stopped his car and walked up to the mortally injured victim, as did the driver of a second car. The first driver ran southbound on Bustleton, while the second driver fled in his car in an unknown direction. Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene minutes later.
The first driver, who was operating a black 2003 Lexus E-300, surrendered at Police Headquarters at 8 a.m. His is a 35-year-old man. His name was not released. He had suffered a head injury and had blood stains on his clothes when he arrived, police said. Charges were pending as of Tuesday afternoon.
Police described the second motorist as a 50-year-old man of unknown race in a dark car. There was no further description. ••
