Police search for car involved in fatal hit-and-run crash in Northeast Philadelphia – NBC10 Philadelphia

Investigators have released images of a vehicle suspected of being involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Northeast Philadelphia in May.

The vehicle, a silver or white Mitsubishi Outlander (2016-2020), was seen on surveillance video at the scene, where a pedestrian attempting to cross the street was struck and killed before fleeing, according to police.

The fatal hit-and-run crash occurred shortly before midnight on Wednesday, May 29, in the 1800 block of Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

Police and paramedics found an unconscious 44-year-old man in the middle of the block who was “suffering from severe head injuries,” police said.

The man, who lived outside Philadelphia, was pronounced dead at the hospital at 12:24 a.m., police said.

Witnesses told investigators that the man was crossing in the middle of the Torresdale block and stumbled or tripped before being struck by a car that then drove away, Captain Robert Heinzeroth of the police accident investigation division said at a news conference Thursday.

The SUV driver sped away at high speed, said Heinzeroth.

Heinzeroth said the video appears to show the driver slamming on the brakes. “It looks like he was trying to avoid the accident by swerving.”

The vehicle will have damage to the underbody and the left front wheel arch, police said.

“Based on the damage to the vehicle – and the parts we recovered – the driver must have known for sure that he had caused an accident,” said Heinzeroth.

Police found several pieces of the suspicious SUV – including what appears to be a piece of the front bumper – Small said. Those clues, along with witness statements and nearby surveillance video, could help police track down the driver.

Police are asking anyone with information about the SUV or driver to contact the Accident Investigation Division at 215-685-3180 or call or text the tip line at 215-686-8477.