Man charged in child sexual abuse case, hit-and-run that killed Temple University student
Police arrest man involved in deadly Kelly Drive hit-and-run
U.S. Marshals arrest 48-year-old Derek Reid in connection to a hit-and-run on Kelly Drive that left a 20-year-old Temple student dead.
PHILADELPHIA - Derek Reid, 48, is now charged in both the fatal Kelly Drive hit-and-run that killed 20-year-old Temple University student Bryce Wolfe and a separate 2021 sexual assault of a minor, prosecutors announced Friday.
What we know:
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office charged Reid with accidents involving death, homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the June 24 crash.
Reid was arrested this week by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force on an outstanding warrant connected to the 2021 sexual assault case.
While Reid was in custody, he admitted that he was driving the white SUV involved in the fatal hit-and-run, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Philadelphia police had previously identified Reid as a suspect in the crash before announcing that formal charges had been filed.
Derek Reid has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, homicide by vehicle, accident involving death and related offenses, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Timeline of the Kelly Drive fatal crash
Timeline:
The crash happened at about 11:15 p.m. June 24 at Kelly Drive and Reservoir Drive.
Police said a white SUV traveling east on Kelly Drive attempted to make an illegal turn onto Reservoir Drive. As the SUV tried to return to the eastbound lane, it entered the path of Wolfe’s westbound red 2004 Triumph motorcycle.
The motorcycle struck the SUV, trapping Wolfe beneath the vehicle. Police said the SUV continued east on Kelly Drive and dragged him for more than a mile before he became dislodged near Fountain Green Drive.
The driver continued without stopping to provide aid.
Philadelphia Fire Department medics transported Wolfe to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center with critical injuries. He was pronounced dead at 4:41 a.m. June 25.
Investigators recovered the white Chevrolet Trailblazer from the 4800 block of Rorer Street on July 9 and processed it for evidence.
Prosecutors said police tracked the SUV and determined that it was registered to Reid.
Temple University student killed in hit-and-run while riding motorcycle of Kelly Drive
Bryce Wolfe was riding his motorcycle on Kelly Drive when investigators say he was struck by an oncoming SUV that attempted to make an illegal turn near Reservoir Drive.
Charges in the 2021 sexual assault case
Reid is separately charged in connection with what the District Attorney’s Office described as a violent sexual assault involving a minor in 2021.
Those charges include:
- Rape
- Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse
- Statutory sexual assault
- Sexual assault
- Unlawful contact with a minor
- Endangering the welfare of children
- Corruption of minors
- Indecent exposure
The sexual assault charges were filed before Reid was taken into custody.
What the district attorney said
"The devastation Defendant Derek Reid inflicted on these two families is horrific. No one deserves to have their son taken away in such a careless way. We will pursue these charges to the fullest extent of the law," District Attorney Larry Krasner said.
"This office also has zero tolerance for predators who brutalize the vulnerable, to include our children and young people. We are standing with these families during their journey of healing and we will do everything we can to seek and secure justice."
Bail and what’s next
Reid has been arraigned and is awaiting preliminary hearings in both cases.
Prosecutors requested $1.5 million bail in connection with the fatal hit-and-run and $999,999 bail in the sexual assault case.
The court set bail at $750,000 in each case.
The investigations remain active.
The Source: Information from the Philadelphia Police Department.