Hit-and-run crash leaves man dead in Tioga-Nicetown; suspect surrenders

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police have charged a driver following a fatal hit-and-run crash on Tuesday night.

Richard Collins from the 100 block of Ashdale Street is charged with Aggravated Assault, Homicide by Vehicle, Accident Involving Death and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

It happened around 6:30 p.m. on the 1700 block of West Hunting Park Avenue, near 18th and Clarissa streets, in the city's Tioga-Nicetown section.

Police say the male victim in his 30s was thrown about 200 feet upon impact.

He died at the scene.

"Our victim was crossing Hunting Park mid-block, walking from the southside to the northside. He was on foot, that's when he got struck by the Tesla," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.

The suspect fled on foot after the crash but surrendered to police at the 39th District headquarters around 8:30 p.m., Action News has learned.

The striking vehicle, described as a burgundy Tesla with New Jersey plates, was found around the corner from the crash scene on the 4100 block of Clarissa Street.

"About a block from where we found the Tesla, under a vehicle we found a white hooded sweatshirt with some blood on it. So we believe the driver, in his attempt to get away, removed the white hooded sweatshirt," said Small.

The vehicle is registered to a South Jersey address and was not reported stolen.

Small says the luxury car's modern technology could possibly have captured the entire crime.

"These Teslas do have exterior surveillance cameras that are activated when there is an accident so hopefully those cameras are present in addition to the cameras on Hunting Park Avenue," said Small.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.