Authorities have questioned a motorist in connection with Friday’s fatal hit and run of a bicyclist in Wissinoming, but formal charges were pending in the case yesterday.
In a Friday afternoon news conference, Capt. Patrick Kelly of the Philadelphia Police Accident Investigation Division said that a man surrendered to SEPTA police hours after the 12:45 a.m. crash on the 5700 block of Frankford Ave. The man led investigators to the 1800 block of Van Kirk St., where the badly damaged striking car, a silver Buick sedan, had been ditched.
A law enforcement source said that in leaving-the-scene cases, the District Attorney’s Office can typically take a few days to determine what criminal charges may be warranted. Police did not identify the suspect motorist.
Kelly identified the victim as Matthew Matteson, 42, who lived several blocks from the crash scene.
Surveillance video of the crash broadcast by 6ABC showed Matteson riding northbound on Frankford Avenue in the dedicated bicycle lane when a southbound car appeared to swerve into oncoming traffic and strike the bicyclist head-on. Matteson was using flashing warning lights at the time, police said.
The impact mangled the bike and thrust Matteson more than 100 feet, police said. He suffered severe traumatic injuries. A paramedic pronounced him dead at the scene. ••
