Car in deadly Philly hit-and-run found; 1 person in custody: police
New details after 77-year-old woman killed in Philly hit-and-run
Philadelphia police have found a vehicle and arrested a person of interest in connection with a hit-and-run that killed 77-year-old Dorthea Cathell on Friday.
PHILADELPHIA - Investigators in Philadelphia have arrested a person of interest in connection to a hit-and-run that killed a 77-year-old woman on Friday night.
What we know:
Police were called to the intersection of 54th Street and Lancaster Avenue just before 5:30 p.m. for reports of a hit-and-run crash.
Investigators say 77-year-old Dorthea Cathell was struck and fatally injured by a black Infinity Q50 with a temporary Delaware tag on Lancaster Avenue.
Police are searching for the driver of a vehicle accused of fatally striking a 77-year-old woman in Philadelphia.
After the deadly crash, police believe the driver reversed down Lancaster Avenue and dropped off a passenger at a pizza shop on 56th Street and Girard Avenue.
A photo of the suspect's vehicle shared by police on Monday shows heavy damage to the front windshield.
Investigators also called attention to the vehicle's cracked front bumper and grille, and damage to the hood.
In an update Monday evening, police say they have located the vehicle involved in the deadly crash.
They also have a person of interest in custody.
Dig deeper:
The black Infiniti involved in the hit-and-run was found five miles from the scene, three days after the incident.
The car, which had a Delaware paper tag license plate, was towed to a police impound lot shortly after police released a photo of the wanted vehicle.
Paper tags have been a longstanding issue, with drivers using them to avoid proper registration and insurance.
This loophole has contributed to an increase in hit-and-run incidents in Philadelphia, prompting calls for reform.
State Representative Amen Brown has been vocal about the dangers of vehicles with fake paper tags, likening them to "ghost guns" due to their lack of traceability.
"These paper tags are no different than a ghost gun. These are ghost vehicles," he stated.
Brown emphasized the need for legislative action to address the issue, noting the frequency of hit-and-runs involving such vehicles.
State Representative Brown is advocating for a ban on paper tags, citing the need for accountability and safety on the streets.
"We're definitely gonna revisit this issue... Look how many folks have been hit killed since we brought this issue up two years ago," he remarked.
What we don't know:
It is unclear if the person of interest in custody is the suspected driver.
What you can do:
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.