Driver charged after worker struck, killed in North Philadelphia
NORTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The driver of a van that struck and killed a worker at a beer distributor in North Philadelphia on Monday was drunk, police say.
Ronald Manson, 64, of the 900 block of New Market Street, is charged with DUI, involuntary manslaughter, homicide by vehicle and related offenses.
Police say around 1:30 p.m. Monday the victim, 54-year-old Stewart Moore, was working at Girard Beer Distributor between 8th and 9th streets on Girard Avenue.
He was outside a delivery truck helping a coworker back up when witnesses say the van struck him.
Manson did stop at the scene, police said.
Moore's family members say the hardworking man lost his wife 20 years ago and raised their son.
"He's a really good guy. A really good father. A hard worker and for something like tragic like that to happen, we're dealing with it for the most part," niece Lacretia Robinson said.
"It was shocking to just hear he wasn't here anymore and then to hear it was a DUI accident," daughter-in-law Laurel Schullere said.
Moore had only been on this job for 8 months, but he was well known.
"Always showed up when I needed him so unfortunately I don't think I will be able to find another person like him," distributor owner Biren Patel said.
Manson was taken into custody and his van was towed away with visible damage to the windshield.
Even if the driver was impaired, as police allege, Moore's family pointed out what they called the dangers of the nearby intersection on a busy Girard Avenue.
"It's ridiculous. No stoplights, it's hard to maneuver when you're driving out into traffic so it's just terrible," Schullere said.
