An off-duty Philadelphia police officer found the man at 2:30 a.m. on the 2500 block of Richmond Street in Fishtown.
The victim was later identified as William McCue of the 3000 block of E. Thompson Street.
William McCue went by the name Billy to family and friends and was celebrating his 28th birthday Sunday.
McCue was found lying in the middle of the roadway, just under Interstate 95 near Sergeant Street. He was rushed to Hahnemann Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police say McCue was on his way home after a night out with friends.
According to investigators, he was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound on Richmond Street. After being struck, McCue mounted and rode the hood of the vehicle for 50 feet before falling off to the ground.
The vehicle fled the scene.
Police don't have much on the hit and run vehicle, except that it was dark-colored and is missing an air deflector from the hood; it may also have possible front-end damage and a broken windshield.
A vigil was held for Billy on Sunday night at the scene of the hit and run.
Flowers, messages of love, and even a birthday cake were left for Billy.
"We just hope they understand who they took away from us and that they can find the passion in their hearts to come forward because he was a great guy," Billy's aunt Kate Zolk said.
Zolk says Billy was a painter by trade. In recent months, he got a job at the Philadelphia produce market.
It's been a difficult run for the family. Billy's mother just recently passed away and his father died a few years ago.
"He's taking care of his family, that's what he was doing after mom died, and he stood up, he stood up to the plate," family friend Michael McCausland said.
Billy's aunt hopes the driver comes forward.
"You don't know Billy, and if you did I think you'd want to come forward, you'd want his family and his friends to have comfort and closure in what really happened," Zolk said.
