Man charged after boy, 8, killed in Feltonville hit-and-run

Friday, December 22, 2017

Father released from hospital following hit and run accident that killed his son: Dann Cuellar reports on Action News at 11 p.m., December 21, 2017

FELTONVILLE (WPVI) -- Police have made an arrest after an 8-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Philadelphia's Feltonville neighborhood.

Michael Finn, 34, of the 5900 block Frontenac Street, was charged with accident involving death, homicide by vehicle, accident-death-no license, and involuntary manslaughter.

Police said Finn was driving a Honda Odyssey that struck a car that was trying to make a turn at Whitaker and Jericho streets around 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The impact of the crash demolished the car, which was occupied by a father and son, 28-year-old Efran Alvarez and his 8-year-old son known as 'Buddha.'

Boy, 8, killed in hit-and-run crash in Feltonville. Dann Cuellar reports during Action News at 6 p.m. on December 20, 2017.

Witness Jeanette Agosto said, "I went over to the car and I was trying to talk to the little boy. I told him to hold on. He just started making noises like he couldn't breathe. We called 911 again and they came pretty fast."

Alvarez was rushed to Temple University Hospital with chest pains. He was released Thursday night. The little boy was rushed to St. Christopher's Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Witnesses told police that Finn got out of his car to check the damage, then got back in the vehicle and drove away, only to hit another car that was parked at the scene. Police said after hitting the second car, the driver drove away westbound on Whitaker Avenue.

Police said witnesses were able to provide a description of the car and a license plate number. Police said they stopped the car involved in the incident at Frontenac and Van Kirk streets, made a positive ID and took the driver into custody. According to police, Finn told them he was suffering from a diabetic event.

Witnesses were left shaken by what they saw.

"It broke my heart because I have two children. I know how hard it is at the end of the year," said Jean Paul Jeudin. "It's about Christmas for some, even though I don't celebrate Christmas, but I know how hard it is for this family."

Agosto added, "Very sad, sad, five days and its Christmas. It's very sad no matter what, even if it's Christmas. The little boy was really mangled."

The crash remains under investigation.