Hit-run victim remembered

SHARON HILL, PA. - August 8, 2008 Funeral services took place for 16-year-old Faith Sinclair in Delaware County Friday.

"A wonderful child with a great future. And it's tragic but God only takes the good when they're young, only the good die young," said cousin Debbie Daly.

Hundreds came to pay their last respects and celebrate a young life cut short by a hit and run driver.

16 year old Faith Sinclair was an honors student at Ridley High School.

She was crossing the street with a group of friends, including her boyfriend when she was struck and killed by a speeding Mercedes Sunday night.

Police believe this is the car.

It was found hidden in a garage on South State Street in Upper Darby Wednesday.

They are calling the owner, 26-year old Lemuel Payne, a person of interest.

He's been told by his lawyer not to talk to the police.

Action News has learned that the police have gotten a search warrant for Payne's cell phone records.

If he had been on the phone at the time of the accident or just before or after, the phone records would show approximately where he was when the calls were made.

Police are also interviewing Payne's family and friends, and they're trying to determine if there was a passenger in the car at the time.

Faith's family and friends were dealing with their pain today, but their thoughts also turned to the hit and run driver.

"It's been an emotional, sad, and it sickens me that someone did that to her and walked away and left her to die," said Ronzell Howell of Colwyn, Pa.

"You could be the saddest person in the world, she walked in the room and put a smile on your face," said Shane Ryder of Woodlyn, Pa.

"To know her was to love her, and I guess we'll have to remember her through her smile, her love and her laughter. And whoever did this, may God have mercy on his soul," said Dawn Richman of Wallingford, Pa.

Police are confident that they will be able to identify the driver, whether it was Payne or someone else.

That person faces a mandatory minimum of one year in jail for leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Click here to get the latest Philadelphia news and headlines from across the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.