77-year-old woman killed after hit-and-run in West Philly; suspect sought: police

Grandma killed in West Philadelphia hit-and-run

Dorothea Cathell was killed in a hit-and-run crash in West Philadelphia on Friday night. Neighbors and family called hear the "heartbeat" of her block. Now, police are searching for the black Infiniti believed to have hit her.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are searching for a black Infiniti with front-end damage they say was involved in a fatal hit-and-run in West Philly Friday. 

What we know:

On Friday at around 5:20 p.m., Phily police say a fatal auto-versus-pedestrian crash occurred at 54th Street and Lancaster Avenue.

According to preliminary investigation, police say a black Infiniti with a Delaware paper tag was traveling eastbound on Lancaster Avenue when it struck a 77-year-old pedestrian.

They say the vehicle then reversed down Lancaster Avenue and fled south, where the driver dropped off a female passenger at a pizza shop near 56th Street and Girard Avenue. 

The victim was taken to Lankenau Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 5:52 p.m. 

What they're saying:

Philadelphia Police have not identified the victim, but family and friends told FOX 29 her name is Dorothea Cathell.

"She was out of this world. She was a real loving grandma," said grandson Semaj Suggs. "When I heard she died, I really thought my heart, like something really left my body. It would be great if somebody could help find the person that did that horrible thing to her."

Neighbors said she was the heartbeat of their block and always looked out for everyone.

"She’s just a fixture to the neighborhood. Everybody knew her and called her Miss Lady or Mom," said neighbor Roe. "Very kind woman. Just a shock, a shock to the neighborhood, a real shock to the neighborhood."

"When we moved in eight years ago, she was the first person to welcome us onto the block, welcome us into her home," said neighbor Paige Prince. "She loved her plants, always had music playing on her porch. She was really like the life of this block."

"I was just lost for words, and I worked this morning. I was like crying the whole way to work. It was just so sad and unfortunate. You know she was a beautiful spirit," said Austin Prince. "she was the heartbeat of the block. She was always here and always observing, and very much involved in everything in our neighborhood."

What you can do:

The striking vehicle is described as a black Infiniti with front-end damage.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is urged to contact the Crash Investigation Division at 215-685-3180 or call 911.